NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The No. 20-ranked St. Olaf College women's cross country team placed third in a field that included four nationally-ranked teams at the St. Olaf Invitational on Saturday morning at the St. Olaf Cross Country Course.

Behind a top-six individual finish from senior Lauren Walda, St. Olaf edged No. 30-ranked UW-Eau Claire for third place behind No. 16-ranked Carleton College and No. 10-ranked UW-La Crosse. The Knights had all five of their scorers in the top eight to post a 33-point margin of victory.

Walda posted her third consecutive top-six finish at the meet by placing six overall in 22:52.4 and was joined in the top 15 by sophomore Abi Lindquist, who took 15th (23:23.6). Fellow sophomore Arabella England was also in the top 20 in 19th (23:32.9), while senior Molly Kate McCloskey was less than a second behind in 21st (23:33.7). Sophomore Louisa Lamarre was the Oles' final scorer in 33rd (23:46.5).

St. Olaf will return to action at the Blugold Invitational at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 at Whitetail Golf Course.