The Panther cross country teams competed at the 33rd Roy Griak Invitational at the Les Bolstad Course in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, on Sept. 29. The Minnesota Golden Gophers hosted the meet.

Wal Khat placed 12th overall out of 152 runners, leading the Panther men’s team. This resulted in an 11th place finish for UNI out of 15 teams with 259 points. For Khat, this was his third top-15 finish this season. 

Other top finishers for UNI included C.J. May, placing 69th with a time of a 26:12.60, Ben Ahlrichs in 74th place at 26:17.60 and Sam McCool finishing 75th at 26:19.70.

The women’s team placed 10th at this meet, with the athletes running their first 6K race of the year. 

McKayla Cole led the Panthers, finishing in 48th place with a time of 22:36.40. Gabby Skopec placed 52nd at 22:41.10, Lucy Conroy took 60th running a 22:51.70 and Alyssa Williams ended in 68th place at 23:03.

With one regular meet remaining before the Missouri Valley Conference championships and the NCAA Midwest Regional meet, both the men and women will head to Peoria, Illinois, for the Bradley Classic on Oct. 27.