GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Senior Emily Emerson placed third and three freshmen finished among the top 13 as the University of North Dakota opened the 2011 cross country season today at the annual UND Ron Pynn Invitational.
The Sioux ran a pair of a duals against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and South Dakota State in a 5K race at the Ray Richards Golf Course.
UND defeated SIUE and fell to SDSU.
"It was a good chance to see where everyone is at," UND Cross Country Head Coach Dick Clay said. "The returners ran well, the freshmen ran very well. We had three freshmen in our top five, so that's really encouraging as far as where we're going."
Emerson, a first-team All-Great West Conference performer last season, was UND's top finisher with a time of 18:59.73. The Lino Lakes, Minn., native trailed only South Dakota State's Erin Hargens and Tera Potts, who placed first and second, respectively.
UND freshman Erin Wysocki (Grand Forks, N.D.) enjoyed an impressive debut, placing fifth with a time of 19:29.10. Wysocki was among a trio of Sioux freshmen who cracked the top 13 runners, joining Anna Gessell (Brainerd, Minn.) and Jessica Lynch (Cologne, Minn.), who placed 10th and 13th, respectively.
The Sioux return to action on Friday at the Eastern Illinois Walt Crawford Invitational.
Dual scores and individual results are attached.
Note: UND is redshirting senior Lindsay Anderson (Leeds, N.D.), the reigning Great West Conference Cross Country Female Athlete of the Year.
~ Go Sioux ~
