The NMU cross country team placed seventh out of 17 teams in the UW-Parkside Midwest Collegiate Open on Saturday.

Cedarville College from Ohio won the event with 24 points, and NMU finished with 194 points.

Individually for the ‘Cats, the top two performers were freshmen.

Rebecca Holmquist crossed the line at 20:05, which was good for 28th and Nora Kiilunen at 20:06. Junior Megan Hendershot was the next ‘Cat to run across the finish line in 41st. Freshman Erin McCulloch had the same time as Hendershot, and placed 42nd.

Head coach Jenny Ryan said the competition was a good race for her young squad to gain experience before conference and regional meets.

“With the young group we have, I think it was definitely a solid finish,” she said

Ryan added having a young team is not always a bad thing for a sports program.

“Every team goes through those years, and they have to rebuild,” she said. “And you know you have a good future ahead of you.”

The next race for the Wildcat cross country team is this Saturday at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn., which is a 6-kilometer race, making it the same distance as the GLIAC race.

“It will give them the chance to run a longer race with some tough competition,” Ryan said. “And hopefully it will end in a strong finish all around.”