GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - The Green Bay women's cross country team is off to a successful start in the 2011 season, especially junior Lauren Mauel (Green Bay, Wis.), who is in her first season with the Phoenix. Although she is one of the team's top runners, she is still new to the competitive running scene.

Mauel transferred to Green Bay after attending UW-Madison. She started running recreationally at the end of her high school career and then was a walk-on for the Badgers her sophomore year.

Mauel placed third at both UIC and Parkside and then placed first at the Concordia Falcon Invitational. She is the first in team history to win a meet. She also earned the Horizon League's Runner of the Week earlier in September, the first for the Phoenix since the 1990s.

Phoenix Flix met up with Mauel, as well as other star runner Areanna Lakowske (Sparta, Wis.) and head coach Mike Kline to talk about the successful start to the 2011 season.

The Phoenix heads to South Bend, Ind., this Friday to compete in the Notre Dame Invitational.

WATCH: Women's Cross Country Off to Fast Start