DULUTH, Minn. – The Yellowjacket women's cross country team commenced its season at Lester Park Golf Course, finishing in third place at the Bulldog Open.
 
The 'Jackets rounded out the three-team meet with 72 points. Finishing in second place was St. Scholastica (49 points) and leading the pack was meet-host Minnesota Duluth (20).
 
Spearheading the Yellowjackets was junior Halle Barker (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior), claiming 14th place with a 20:15 time. Classmate Cora Hudella (North Branch, Minn./North Branch Area) finished with a 20:37.1 good for 16th place, and Payton Bell (Auburn, ME/Edward Little High School) clocked a 20:43.8 in her first collegiate meet at 18th place.
 
Sophomore Kimmie Downing (Ontario, Wis./Brookwood) ended the race with 21:32.3 in 28th place just before Tea Boerner (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna Senior) crossed the finish line with a 21:33.9. Senior Meagan Berg (Tomahawk, Wis./Tomahawk) claimed 33rd with a 22:33.6 time and Lilley Smith (Ironwood, MI/Ironwood High School) clocked a 22:50.3 in her first collegiate race.
 
Yellowjacket newcomer Aubrey Peterson (Kasson, Minn./Kasson-Mantorville) also finished her first collegiate race Thursday, clocking a 22:57 for 37th place. Classmate Kenzy Kreuzer (Stoddard, Wis./De Soto) finished 39th with a 23:56.7, while sophomores Cieyana Carter (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park) and Brooke Petrich (Keewatin, Minn./Greenway) finished with times of 25:21.8 and 25:50.3, respectively.
 
Rounding out the meet for the Yellowjackets was Emma Winberg (Superior, Wis./Superior High School), clocking a 29:20.7, Jordan Rader (Eagle River, Alaska/Eagle River) with a 32:00.5, and Hannah Desmond (Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet High School) running a 34:15.3.
 
Earning the top spot was Allison Hendrickson of St. Scholastica with a time of 18:35.4.
 
The Yellowjackets set their sights on the Running of the Cows, taking place at the Bill Huyck Championship Course at Carleton College Sept. 16 at 11:30 a.m.