More than a dozen Northern Michigan University runners, in white shirts in the foreground, ready for the start of a previous women’s cross country race. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University women’s cross country team heads to its second meet of the season in St. Paul, Minnesota, today for the Roy Griak Invitational that will be hosted by the University of Minnesota.

Last season, the Wildcats finished seventh of 27 teams in its division with now-senior Madison Malon leading NMU in 25th place.

In Northern’s first meet this season, the Sept. 10 Ray Helsing Bulldog Invitational hosted by Ferris State in downstate Big Rapids, freshman Madi Szymanski won her first collegiate race while Malon was runner-up in a field that included runners from host Ferris, Lake Superior State, Rochester University and Michigan-Dearborn.

Szymanski ran the 5K course in 18 minutes, 44.56 seconds as Malon was next in 19:03.13 as Ferris runners were third and fourth. The host Bulldogs edged out NMU for the team title, 28 to 30 points.

Wildcats freshman Gianna Hoving was fifth in 19:33.04, while Negaunee High School graduate and NMU sophomore Talon Prusi was 10th in 20:04.02.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.