wThe No. 11 Minnesota women’s cross country dominated the competition at the South Dakota State Invitational on Saturday in Brookings, S.D., landing five runners in the top 12 to win the 12-team meet with 25 team points. Nebraska was second with 56 points.

Golden Gopher sophomore Ladia Albertson-Junkans was the first collegiate finisher, covering the 5-kilometer course in 17 minutes, 15.4 seconds. Former Nebraska runner Anne Shadle, now running for Reebok, took medalist honors in 17:12.1. Albertson-Junkans is the third Gopher (the others being Emily Brown and Lauren Williams) to capture the Gophers’ number-one position this season.

Albertson-Junkans edged Brown at the tape, with Brown clocking a time of 17:16.1. Williams was fifth in a time of 17:43.6, while Harper McConnell claimed the Gophers’ fourth spot among the top 10, placing eighth in 17:57.7.

“We ran a little tired after the Griak last week but we still performed well,” said Golden Gopher head coach Gary Wilson.

Wilson put out the challenge to his squad looking for competition at the fifth and sixth positions. Sophomore transfer Julie Schwengler answered the call, making her first appearance in the scoring runners, placing fifth on the team and 12th overall in 18:34.2. Jen Hess was the Gophers’ sixth finisher, placing 16th in a time of 18:42.9.

“Our goal has been to get our fifth and sixth runners to finish closer to our number four,” said Wilson. “Schwengler is really starting to come along.”

Minnesota’s next competition is Oct. 8, at the UMD Pine Hills Invitational. The Gophers will likely rest its top runners for that meet in preparation for the Pre-NCAA Meet the following week (Oct. 15).

South Dakota State Invitational Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005 Edgebrook Golf Course – 5K Brookings, S.D. Team Results 1. Minnesota 1-2-4-7-11-(15)-(19) 25 2. Nebraska 3-8-9-13-23-(37)-(38) 56 3. South Dakota St. 6-10-12-27-28-(36)-(39) 83 4. Northern Iowa 14-16-18-20-21-(32)-(40) 89 5. Black Hills St 22-29-31-33-39 172 (12 teams completed) Top 10 Individuals 1. Anne Shadle (Reebok) 17:12.1 2. Ladia Albertson-Junkans (Minn.) 17:15.4 3. Emily Brown (Minn.) 17:16.1 4. Kayte Tranel (Nebraska) 17:42.7 5. Lauren Williams (Minn.) 17:43.6 6. Ashley Anklam (Drake) 17:47.5 7. Becka Mansheim (SDSU) 17:56.7 8. Harper McConnell (Minn.) 17:57.7 9. Kim Pancoast (Nebraska) 18:03.9 10. Ari Goldstein (Nebraska) 18:06.7 Other Golden Gopher Finishes 12. (11) Julie Schwengler 18:34.2 16. (15) Jen Hess 18:42.9 20. (19) Danielle Ashford 18:52.6 21. Katie Howery 18:53.6 24. Stefanie Zeihen 18:56.1 26. Kristin Johansen 19:00.8 27. Carie Steil 19:02.8 38. Jena Trask 19:14.4