The Northern Michigan University women’s cross country team will be heading to East Lansing,. to compete in the Spartan Invite at Michigan State University on Friday Sept. 18 at 11:50 a.m.

“Since the Spartan Invite is still early in the season, we are still training quite a bit this week,” said Head Coach Jenny Ryan. “But we will have some easier days right before the race so that they feel good during the race and perform well.”

There will be teams from Divisions I-III competing at the Spartan Invite. Competing from the GLIAC Conference are Grand Valley State, Hillsdale, Saginaw Valley State, Ferris State, Michigan Tech, Wayne State, Ashland, Northwood, and Lake Superior State.

At the Chris Yanni Memorial Tournament in Sault Ste. Marie on Saturday, Sept. 12, the Wildcats won their second victory of the season, beating Lake Superior State and Northwood University.

“The team performed very well at the Chris Yanni Memorial Tournament,” Ryan said. “I rested some of the top runners and the rest of the team really stepped up and ran well.”

Freshman Sarah Goble finished first to win her first collegiate title with a time of 19:00.62 in the women’s 5k.

“Winning the race on Saturday was exciting. It is always nice to race with a pack of teammates who push and motivate you,” said Goble.

The Wildcats won in dominating fashion with seven athletes in the top 10 and three freshmen finishing 1-2-3.

“They took control of the race right at the beginning and never let up,” Ryan said.

Goble received GLIAC Athlete of the Week honors for her performance on Saturday.

“Being GLIAC Athlete of the Week is such an honor and I’m proud to represent NMU,” said Goble. “Coach Ryan is a great coach and I know all the girls are prepared for an awesome season.”

Goble is the second Wildcat to be honored with GLIAC Athlete of the Week.

Sophomore Kameron Burmeister was honored last week for her performance at the U.P. Championships on Friday Sept. 4.

As a team, the Wildcats totaled 21 points, with Lake Superior State finishing second with 59 points, and Northwood finishing third with a score of 63.

According to Ryan, team scores are not kept at the Spartan Invite, but the race will be a good chance to see where the team stands in the GLIAC conference.

Coach Ryan and the Wildcats are looking forward to the rest of the season.

“We have had a great start to the season and it will be exciting to see what we can do this year as we head into some bigger races for the rest of the season,” Ryan said.