NORTHFIELD, MN (VCSUVikings.com)-Valley City State’s cross country teams hit the road to Northfield, Minn., on Saturday to compete in the large St. Olaf Invitational.

The Viking women finished eighth out of 12 teams, while VCSU’s men place ninth out of 10 teams at the meet featuring mainly NCAA schools from Minnesota.

Grace Miller led the Viking women by placing 38th overall with a time of 24:48 in the women’s 6K race. Allyssa Weitkum wasn’t far behind, taking 44th in a time of 25:02.

Angeline Gannon (74th/25:54), Julianne Wilson (97th/26:37) and Tanya Campos (118th/27:37) rounded out VCSU’s women’s team. A total of 157 runners competed in the women’s race.

On the men’s side, Valley City State placed ninth out of 10 teams at the meet. Riley Roy-Lagasse was the top finisher for VCSU, placing 33rd overall with a time of 28:02 in the men’s 8K race. Menkeh Mendin finished 52nd in a time of 28:57.

Zachary Nelson (63rd/29:26), Orin Rambow (69th/29:38), Aaron Springer (73rd/29:51, Spencer Mattheis (91st/30:50) and Kohlton Peterson(103rd/32:41) rounded out VCSU’s competitors. A total of 112 runners finished the men’s 8K race.

Up next: The Vikings are back close to home as they compete at the Jimmie Invitational on Friday, Oct. 5, in Jamestown.