MemoLed by a title run by senior Lauren Williams, the Minnesota women’s cross country team cruised to the Oz Memorial Run team crown with a perfect score of 15 points. The Golden Gophers not only captured the top five individual finishes, but 14 of the top 15 as well. Drake finished second with 55 points, followed by Minnesota State Mankato with 70.

Williams defended her Oz Memorial title covering the 6-kilometer course in a time of 22.22.8, an impressive time considering the temperature in the mid 80s and the high humidity. Williams, an Eden Prairie, Minn., native, won the race by nearly 11 seconds.

Gopher sophomore Ladia Albertson-Junkans finished second with a time of 22:33.7, followed by junior Emily Brown in third in 22:35.9, senior Harper McConnell in fourth in 23:10.2 and senior Jen Hess in fifth in 23:45.2.

“I was worried because of the heat and humidity, but we ran a controlled race and didn’t push over the edge to win,” said Golden Gopher head coach Gary Wilson. “Our top three runners (Williams, Albertson-Junkans and Brown) are at the top of their game and what is exciting is the host of others who are getting better and closing the gap between those three and rest.”

“The conditions were tough today, but you have to be ready for anything on race day,” said Williams. “We haven’t even practiced in this warm of weather. We did, however, accomplish our goals for today’s race even though the times aren’t as good as we would have liked.”

The only opposing runner to break into the top 15 was Drake’s Ashley Anklam, last year’s runner-up, who placed sixth overall. Completing the top 10 for Minnesota was senior Carly Emil in seventh (24:06.5), sophomore Katie Howery in eighth (24:11.3), freshman Kristin Johansen (24:15.5) and junior Stefanie Zeihen in 10th (24:16.5).

In addition to Johansen, three other true freshmen posted top 15 finishes. Carie Steil was 11th (24:23.1), Danielle Ashford was 13th (24:30.1) and Ayla Mitchell was 15th (25:02.0).

“You can’t underestimate how important it is for the freshmen to run their first 6-kilometer race before the Griak,” said Wilson.

The Gophers’ next competition is Saturday, Sept. 24, when Minnesota hosts the Roy Griak Invitational.

Oz Memorial Run Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005 Les Bolstad Golf Course – 6K Falcon Heights, Minn. Team Results 1. Minnesota 1-2-3-4-5-(7)-(8) 15 2. Drake 6-10-12-13-14-(16)-(20) 55 3. MSU Mankato 9-11-15-17-18-(19)-(21) 70 Top 10 Individuals 1. Lauren Williams (Minn.) 22:22.8 2. Ladia Albertson-Junkans (Minn.) 22:33.7 3. Emily Brown (Minn.) 22:35.9 4. Harper McConnell (Minn.) 23:10.2 5. Jen Hess (Minn.) 23:45.2 4. Ashley Anklam (Drake) 23:47.1 5. Carly Emil (Minn.) 24:06.5 6. Katie Howery (Minn.) 24:11.3 7. Kristen Johansen (Minn.) 24:15.5 8. Stefanie Zeihen (Minn.) 24:16.5 Other Golden Gopher finishers 11. Carie Steil 24:23.1 12. Julie Schwengler 24:30.1 13. Danielle Ashford 24:30.1 14. Jena Trask 24:52.0 15. Ayla Mitchell 25:02.0 17. Natalie Timmers 25:34.2 20. Debbie Thompson 25:52.9 21. Theresa Aschman 26.02.5 24. Lisa Remark 26.10.8 26. Shanna Bodilly 26:37.3 29. Amber Mazzitelli 27:02.1 31. Heather Horton 27:17.6 32. Sarah Flon 27:18.5 36. Katelyn Barylak 27:42.9 37. Allison Joelson 27:56.5 40. Diana Berlinerblau 28:50.2