NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Senior Lauren Walda was the top individual finisher to lead the No. 17-ranked St. Olaf College women's cross country team to a first-place finish at the Ole 5K Opener on Friday evening.

Walda and classmate Grace Moeller were both in the top five for St. Olaf, which edged Macalester College atop the standings by five points with a total of 37 points. The Oles had 10 of the first 18 runners to cross the finish line in the meet.

Walda took first by nearly four seconds ahead of Macalester's Ingrid Norquist in 18:52.3. Moeller was fourth in 19:27.5, while sophomore Arabella England made it three Oles in the top 10 in ninth (19:46.1). Senior Molly Kate McCloskey (19:58.5) and sophomore Abi Lindquist (20:04.7) completed St. Olaf's five scorers in 11th and 12th, respectively, followed closely by first years Anna Peikert (20:09.2) and Anna-Britta Helmer (20:09.4), as well as sophomore Louisa Lamarre (20:10.7).

The Oles will welcome their alumni back to campus for the annual Alumni 5K Meet on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m.