With Morgan Place again leading the way, the University of Minnesota Duluth women placed fourth while the men were 12th at Saturday afternoon's Roy Griak Invitational in St. Paul, Minn.

For the third time in as many tries as a collegian, Place captured individual race honors, winning the 6K Maroon Division II race (which included 257 competitors) with a time of 22:16. Following the Ellsworth, Wis., native was senior Liz Palkie, who was third overall at 22:34. She was proceeded by sophomore Bridget Hines (12th place; 23:14), Emma Bahe (74th, 24:54) and Carrie Wardell (75th 24:54). A total of 24 teams from the NCAA II and III levels took part in the meet.

On the men's side, Zach Varty led the Bulldogs in the 8K Division II event, finishing 30th out of 256 runners from 24 schools with a time of 26:32. Junior Mike Kramer followed Varty, placing 41st at 26:45. Other top finishers for the Bulldogs were sophomore Erik Escher (69th place, 27:12), junior Tyler Bjorhus (91st, 27:25), and freshman Keagan Marble (123rd, 28:04).

UMD was ranked 17th nationally in the most recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association men's poll while the women held down the No. 22 spot.

The Bulldogs will compete next at the Blugold Open in Colfax, Wis. on Oct. 3.