SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota cross country teams hit the road on Friday, traveling to the campus of the University of Notre Dame to take part in the National Catholic Championships.
 
While the Cardinals did have the opportunity to do a little sight-seeing during their longest road trip of the season, coach Ward Berndt also stressed that this was far from a vacation, but rather, a "business trip."
 
And when the Cardinals toed the line along with the other 34 teams competing, they certainly were all business.
 
Jovan Newsum (Glendale Heights, Ill.) enjoyed a banner day for the Saint Mary's men, posting a team-best five-mile time of 27.00.8 in sparking the Cardinals' ninth-place finish, while Heidi Lederman (Mahtomedi, Minn.) recorded a career-best five-kilometer time in leading the Cardinal women to an 18th-place team finish.
 
"It was a great day all the way around," said Saint Mary's coach Ward Berndt. "Both the guys and the women really did a nice job—I thought they all handled the course well and give us something to build on for the future."

Austin O'Hare (Rushford, Minn.), who led the way for Saint Mary's at the season-opening Saint Mary's Alumni Open, was right on Newsum's heels, crossing the finish line in 27:27.4. Brandon Krogman (Owatonna, Minn.) was the third Cardinal to finish, posting a time of 28.17.3, followed by Jase Pater (Adrian, Minn. / 28.25.2), Sherman Moga (Shoreview, Minn. / 29.15.9), and Austin Kleman (Kronenwetter, Wis. / 30.30.4)
 
Ledermann led the way for the Cardinal women, touring the 5K course in 21:22.8, while Erika Thiel (Burr Ridge, Ill.) and Alicia Berkenes (Buffalo, Minn.) were close behind, stopping the clock in 21.31.4 and 21.38.8, respectively. Emily Ortiz (Albert Lea, Minn.) chipped in a time of 22.00.8, with Paige Schernecker (Manawa, Wis. / 22.24.7), Sienna Valley (Oconomowoc, Wis. / 22.47.1), and Josie Moreno (Cicero, Ill. / 22.57.8) rounding out Saint Mary's top six.
 
The Cardinals are back in action on Oct. 2, heading to Eau Claire, Wis., to take part in the UW-Eau Claire Invitational.