The Saint Mary’s University men’s team and a number of individuals from Winona State University shined in the Saint Mary’s Open Invitational cross country meet held over the Labor Day weekend.

The Cardinal’s men’s team place four runners in the top six en route to taking the team title. Saint Mary’s totaled 35 points, outdistancing runner up Luther (45) by ten. Winona State (52), Macalester College (106), and an Alumni team (150) followed in places three through five.

David Feather (Oak Creek, Wis.) led the Saint Mary’s charge, placing third in 22:28 over the challenging four-mile course held on the Saint Mary’s trail system. Feather was followed by teammates Jake Traxler (Le Suer, Minn.) 4th, 22:49; Robby McGuire (Rochester, Minn.) 5th, 22:50; and Peter Borash (Bowlus, Minn.) 6th, 23:03. Quentin Moore checked in as the crucial fifth runner in the Cardinal scoring, finishing 25th overall, but 17th amongst scored runners in 23:53.

While the Saint Mary’s team took top honors, it was a pair of runners who shined for the Winona State men. Sophomores Bryan Lindquist (Esko, Minn.) and Kyle Dammen (Austin, Minn.) raced to a one-two finish in the men’s race, finishing in 22:21 and 22:24, respectively. 

Sophomore Jared Haldeman (West Salem) finished in 18th place for the Warriors, clocking in at 23:32. He was followed by teammates Kevin Dammen (fr., Austin, Minn.), 26th, 23:56; and Matt Ernster (so., Lino Lakes, Minn.), 34th, 24:28 to complete Winona State’s scoring.

Winona State sophomore Kayla Gudmundson (Becker, Minn.) and junior Jenna Southworth (Marshfield,Wis.) followed the men’s one-two finish with a one-two sweep of their own, completing the women’s four kilometer course in 20:22 and 20:31 respectively to lead Winona State. 

Sophomore Steph Sjostrom added an eighth place finish in 20:53, giving the Warriors three of the top eight finishers.  The Norse of Luther College (25), however, swept places three through seven to edge Winona State (36) for the team title.  Saint Mary’s (88) and the Alumni team (102) followed in third and fourth.

Sophomore Megan Snyder (Hopkins, Minn.), 15th, 21:24, senior Kelsey Stenslund (Lewisville, Minn.), 16th, 21:29, and sophomore Ashton Lamp (Ostego, Minn.), 17th, 21:33 added top twenty finishes for Winona State.

Freshman Amy Spitzmueller (New Brighton, Minn.) led the Cardinal women, crossing the line in 21:34, good for 18th place. Fellow freshman Kristen Thelan (Rochester, Minn.) 23rd, 21:59 and senior Emily Dee (Racine, Minn.) 24th, 22:08 added top twenty-five finishes for Saint Mary’s.

For a list of complete results, see: http://www.saintmaryssports.com/schedule.aspx?path=cross&

The Saint Mary’s men’s and women’s team return to action on September 17 at the Notre Dame Catholic Invitation.  The Warrior harriers return to action on September 18 as they travel to the St. Olaf Invitational.