The #16 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth women's cross country team captured the Roy Griak Invitational on Friday afternoon to stay unbeaten on the season. The Bulldogs have won the event five times (most recent being in 2015). The UMD men's cross country team finished seventh overall as well as finishing as the second highest NSIC team. 

UMD won the Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon Race for Division II and III participants with a total team score of 65 (beating runner-up Winona State by 23 points). The Bulldogs top seven runners finished in the top 50 capped off by the top three scoring Bulldogs in the top 10. UMD was led by Cailee Peterson who finished fifth overall with a time of 22:27.2 (personal best). The two other top 10 finishers were junior Maddie Verkerke (7th place) (22:43.0) and junior Julia Nielsen (ninth place) (22:47.8). The remaining Bulldogs brought home the team title with a 12th place finish from senior Morgan Radel (22:56.3), a 32nd place finish from sophomore Lauryn Renier (23:42.1), 38th place finish from freshman Elizabeth VanLoon (23:51.4) (personal best), and a 43rd place finish from sophomore Franny Seidel (23:56.7) (personal best). 

"Winning the team trophy on the women's side is outstanding," said head men's and women's cross country coach Brette Jensen. "They all worked very well together to keep their spread tight and pushed each other along the way. I'm very proud of their efforts and this win is extremely well deserved." 

The UMD Bulldog men turned in a strong seventh place performance in the Jo Rider Men's Maroon Race for Division II and Division III. This was the Bulldogs best men's cross country finish at the Roy Griak Invitational since 2017.

The UMD men were led by a back to back finish from sophomore Jack Van Kempen (26th place) (26:14.3) (personal best) and junior Lucas Selman (27th place) (26:15.6) (personal best). The next pair of Bulldogs crossed the finish line in 44th and 45th place -- Austin Antony (26:35.8) (personal best) and Owen Dickenson (26:35.8).  Rounding out the top seven were Nick Jacobson (27:19.7) (71st place), Isaac Martel (27:38.7) (88th place) (personal best), and Sam Ringger (27:50.1) (93rd place).

"The Bulldog men were excellent today," said head men's and women's cross country coach Brette Jensen. "They were patient throughout the race and continued to build through each mile. I couldn't be more proud of their efforts on a tough course. This is a great starting point and we will continue to build week by week." 

For season results (men) (women).

UP NEXT: UMD men's and women's cross country teams will travel to the Lewis Crossover in Naperville, IL on Saturday, October 8th.