Cross Country | 9/24/2016 4:05:00 PM

Women's 6K results
Men's 8K results
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Senior Molly Montonye picked up a top five finish and the men's team finished sixth to lead the Minnesota State University Moorhead cross country teams at the Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday in Minneapolis, Minn.  The Dragon women finished in 10th overall out of 40 teams, while the men finished ahead of several ranked teams to record a second straight top 10 finish at the meet.

The meet was held at the Les Bolstad Golf Course. Both Dragon teams competed in the Maroon Division

Montonye finished in the top 10 at the Griak for a third straight year, placing fifth overall with a 6K time of 22:50.8. She steadily worked through the field after being in 78th place after the first 1k.

"It was exactly what I was looking for from Molly," MSUM cross country coach Ryan Milner said. "You could see her executing that plan as she went."

Senior MaKenzie Smith also had a good day, placing 25th at 23:59.  Sophomore Marissa Carlson was 55th in 24:35 to give the Dragons three runners in the top 60 in the field of 392 competitors.

Senior Mindy Kraft was 121st at 25:33.4, while freshman Kathryn Sistrunk was 125th in 25:37.4. Sophomore Alicia Swenson was 156th in 26:01 while freshman Jenna Wegscheid was 178th at 26:19.

"It was a solid day for the women," Milner said.

The Dragon men were sixth at 283 points in the field of 40 teams, bettering their eighth place finish from 2015.

Competing in a field of 453 runners, the Dragons had four runners in the top 65.

Senior Cody Christ was 28th in 27:03, followed by sophomore Josh Young in 60th at 27:37. Senior Brady Speicher was 64th in 27:39 with sophomore teammate Joshua Ernst right behind in 65th in 27:40.

Junior Jay Biwer was 107th in 28:05.  Freshmen Nadir Yusuf (28:17, 121st) and Logan Spooner (28:37, 150th) rounded out the Dragon men's lineup.

"Everybody we were up there competing with, except Manitoba, was a nationally-ranked team or a team receiving votes," Milner said. "To place high at a course we don't traditionally run well at, it was a good day."

MSUM's next action is at the Jimmie Invitational on Oct. 7 in Jamestown, N.D.