St. Paul, MN- The University of Mary Women's Cross Country Team delivered a remarkable performance at the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational, showcasing their talent and determination on the challenging Les Bolstad Cross Country Course. Finishing in second place among a competitive field of universities, the team's achievement is nothing short of extraordinary.
 
Led by an exceptional trio of runners, Alyssa Becker, Andrijana Fundak, and Kristine Kalthoff secured the third, fourth, and eleventh positions, respectively, at the meet as the U-Mary women displayed their strength and endurance over the grueling 6K race. This impressive showing is a testament to their rigorous training, teamwork, and commitment to excellence.
 
With this outstanding performance at the Roy Griak Invitational, the UMary Women's Cross Country Team has set a high standard for themselves as they prepare for their upcoming events. Their remarkable accomplishment shows their aspiration to reach even greater heights in the world of collegiate cross country running.
 
Head Coach Chris Lessard praised their understanding of the high stakes involved in the meet and their unwavering commitment when it truly mattered. He expressed his pride in their evident talent that is beginning to shine. Coach Lessard emphasized that competing and thriving against three nationally ranked teams is only the beginning, and he is exceptionally proud of the hard work the women have put in thus far.
 
The top finisher among Northern Sun runners, Becker placed third in a time of 22.18.2. Right behind was Fundak in fourth place with a clocking of 22:24.2. Kristine Kalthoff crossed the finish line in 22.42.4 to place 11^th.
 
Terez Wycklendt placed 39^th (23:36.4) and Teresa Blote finished 52^nd (23:55.8) to round out the team scoring.
 
The Marauders finished with a score of 106, trailing only Augustana (80) in the women's maroon 6K division that included 37 teams and 391 runners.
 
The team's next challenge awaits them at the University of Mary, where they will compete on September 29, 2023, at the McDowell Dam in Bismarck, ND. This event marks a significant opportunity for the UMary women to build on their recent success and continue their journey towards further achievements in the world of cross country running. Their unwavering dedication and impressive performance at the Roy Griak Invitational have undoubtedly set the stage for an exciting season ahead.
 
#marauders#