The women’s cross country team started the season off strong competing at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Every athlete was able to run in Eau Claire, and the team was led by sophomore Jocelyn Orner running a 24:45.06.

Not all athletes will have the opportunity to run at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Invitational held in Cuba City on Saturday.

Head coach Tom Antczak noted that the team is young and through one full team meet, is too early to see any stand-out athletes at this point in the season.

“Our incoming freshman are great talents. They are a great addition to our team,” said junior team captain Olivia Bukowski.

Antczak expects the two team captains, senior Megan Knutson and Bukowski, to have good seasons.

“They need to be at practice, work hard, want to be there, and get their homework done,” said Antczak.

Antczak noted that he focuses first on running well at the conference championship meet, because the rest of the meets are essentially dress rehearsals for the late season meets.

“I see the team doing well this season,” Bukowski said. “It is our goal to place top five. We need to work really hard to do that.”