The Winona State Warriors’ Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams started off their seasons with impressive finishes at the SMU Alumni Invitational this past Saturday at Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota.

The men finished their first race of the season in second place, finishing three points behind Saint Mary’s University, with a team score of 33 points. Sophomore Billy Eifert took the top spot for the Warriors and finished third overall in the four-mile race in 21.25:50.

Five more of the Warriors crossed the finish line in the top ten, with Billy Schimmel sixth (22.20:30), David Lund seventh (22.22:50), Clay Scott eighth (22.24:40), Sam Westerberg ninth (22.26:30), and Alex Buss in tenth (22.47:50).

The Warrior women had an exceptionally great start to their season, finishing first with a perfect team score of 15 points ahead of Luther College and Saint Mary’s University.

Nine of the top ten finishers of the 5k were from Winona State, with sophomore Jessica Young crossing the finish line in 19.31:50 to earn her the first place title.

Kayla Gudmundson took second place in 19.48:20 and Jordan Skelly placed third in 19.50:70.

Tory Palmer was fourth (20.27:50), Emma Heuer fifth (20.38:70), Chelsea Schrubbe sixth (20.41:70), Kim Truedson seventh (20.49:20), Ashton Lamp eighth (21.01:20), and Jordan Paschke ninth (21.15:10) to round out those top ten finishes.

On September 21, both of the cross country teams will again compete for team and individual titles at the Bluegold Invitational in Colfax, Wis.

Contact Kylie at [email protected]