MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Navy women's cross country team posted a strong outing on Friday morning at the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota, finishing eighth as a team in the Women's Gold (DI) 6K at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Minneapolis, Minn.
 
Meet-host Minnesota won the women's team competition with a low score of 47, while No. 25 Utah Valley was second with 53 points. Wyoming and Colorado State – who was receiving votes in the most recent USTFCCCA national poll – were third and fourth with scores of 79 and 99, respectively. Ohio (162 points), Montana State (204), and Ohio State (218) finished in order ahead of Navy (259). San Diego State (262) and North Dakota State (265) rounded out the top 10.
 
"We came out to Minnesota to see some out of region competition and it was a great experience for our team," head coach Kim Lewnes said after the race. "Alex was back in her home state and Olivia has some roots here as well. They both showed great leadership today."
 
For the second straight meet, senior Alex Wercinski has led the team, finishing the Griak with a team-best time of 22:41.1 to finish 38th overall among the 195 runners who finished the race. She was in 45th place through the first mile and dropped to 64th through the midway point of the race. Wercinski moved up 26 spots over the final 3,000m of the race to finish in the top 20-percent of the finishers on the day.
 
Junior Sophie Compton was second among the Navy runners, clocking a time of 22:49.3. She was consistent throughout the race, checking at 47th through the midway point of the competition, overcoming a runner in the final 1,000m to finish 46th overall.
 
Senior team captain Olivia Lutkevich posted a time of 22:56.4 to finish seven spots back of Compton. Sophomore Lexi Ensor was the fourth Mid to cross the finish line, posting a time of 22:59.9, while Lillee Tang rounded out the Navy top 5 with a time of 23:23.0.
 
Senior May McConkey (23:34.2) and freshman Madeline Palmisciano (23:42.9) closed out the scoring for the Midshipmen on the day. Sophomore Mia-Claire Kezal (23:45.6), freshman Jane Phillips (23:50.9), junior Kate Leddy (24:21.2), freshman Daisy Dastrup (24:25.8), and Katelyn Pepin (25:03.6) also competed for the Midshipmen at the Griak.
 
"Sophie had another consistent race," Lewnes added. "Lexi continues to rise to the next challenge, and it was great welcoming Lillee back into the mix. May and Jane raced outside their comfort zone and are making great progress in their first season. I'm also impressed by Madeline's consistency and I love seeing her ambition as a plebe.
 
"As always we have some individuals overcoming some obstacles this season, but most importantly we keep learning as we prepare for the next opportunity."
 
The Midshipmen will have a week off from competition before Navy returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Paul Short Run in Bethlehem, Pa.