ST. PAUL, Minn. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire women's cross country team took third place out of 37 teams at the 24th Annual Roy Griak Invitational, hosted by the University of Minnesota at Les Bolstad Golf Course today.

The 12th-ranked Blugolds, who won the invite a season ago with 110 points, finished with 117 today. UW-La Crosse took first with 98 while UW-Oshkosh was second with 112. Bethel University (Minn.) finished with 136 points in fourth place.

Leading the way for the Blugolds was Beth Easker (Jr.-Wittenberg, Wis./Wittenberg-Birnamwood), who took 15th in the 500-runner field with a time of 23:16.5. She also finished 15th a season ago but had almost a three second improvement this season.

Hannah Humbach (Sr.-Madison, Wis./Abundant Life), who finished 20th at the invite last year, improved four spots for a 16th place finish this season. She finished the 6K course in a time of 23:16.8.

Taking 18th was Elly Prunty (Jr.-Antigo, Wis.), finishing in 23:22, while Margaret Ho (Jr.-Wisconsin Rapids, Wis./Lincoln) took 29th with a time of 23:44.7. Finishing 13 seconds later was Kacey Rindy (So.-Fennimore, Wis.) as she took 39th place.

Up next for the Blugolds is their annual Blugold Open. The meet will take place at Whitetail Golf Course in Colfax, Wis. next Friday. The race is set to begin at 4 p.m.