WSC cross country runners ran at their biggest meet of the year on Sat­urday at the Roy Griak Invitational held at the University of Minnesota. Over 300 runners and 40 teams were at the meet.

Junior Andrea DeSimone led the female team, finishing 127th with a time of 25:49.

“Andrea ran a very strong race,” coach Marlon Brink said. “It was the first time for the rest of the girls on the course, and it is a great experi­ence for when we return there for the NSIC championships.”

Senior Melissa Kroll placed fourth on the team and 331st overall. Kroll went on a mission trip this summer to Alaska, so she wasn’t in the shape she wanted to be in coming into the season.

“I went to Alaska this summer and didn’t come back in shape for the season. I am working to build my fitness to be as good as I can at the end of the season,” Kroll said.

Other top finishers for the women were Molly Kingsley (27:14), Shel­by Connett (27:43), Kroll (30:42), Mary Alderson (31:10), Megan Svitak (35:00), Grace Black (35:24) and Sarah Post (39:22).

Justin Brueggemann paced the men’s squad with a 104th place finish out of 412 runners. Nick Fly came in second on the team with a 244th place finish.

“We didn’t run as well as I thought we would. It is a hard course, but I thought we would run better. We will regroup and be better for the next meet,” Brink said.

Other top finishers of the day were Cortland Cassidy (30:33), Nick Schmit (30:49), Jack Doughty (31:11), Corbin Lehn (31:31) and Joey Black (32:58).

The Wildcats will compete next at the Briar Cliff Invite on Oct.10.