NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The schedule ramped up a bit for the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota cross country teams Saturday afternoon at the St. Olaf InvitationBal.
 
Two weeks after kicking off the season at the four-team Saint Mary's Alumni Open, the Cardinals toed the line with more than 20 other schools—including nine teams ranked nationally—and they more than held their own.
 
Austin O'Hare proved to be right at home running against some of the nation's best, as the Cardinal senior posted an eight-kilometer time of 26:48 to place 20^th overall and lead Saint Mary's to a 15^th-place team finish.
 
UW-Eau Claire captured the men's team title, finishing with 41 points, well ahead of runner-up UM-Duluth's 91-point effort. St. Olaf (102) was third, followed by Carleton (126) and Willamette (130) rounding out the top five.
 
Along with O'Hare's team-leading time of 26:48, the Cardinals also got a 28:21 from Brandon Krogman, a 28:53 from Jordan Malikowski, a 29:47 from Ben Borash, a 29:50 from Jon Meaden, and Isaiah Olsem's 30;13 rounded out the top seven.
 
In the women's race, UW-Eau Claire completed the team sweep, finishing with 57 points to edge out Carleton's second-place total of 68. UM-Duluth (101), St. Olaf (107), and Minnesota State-Mankato (131) rounded out the top five.
 
Danielle Franke led the way for the Cardinal women, posting a 6K time of 26:22. Emily Ortiz added a 28:14, followed by Erika Thiel (29:13), Alicia Berkenes (29:23), Maddie Bollig (30:15), and Molly Sweet (30:49).
 
The Cardinals are back in action on Sept. 29, heading to Mankato, Minn., to take part in the Bethany Lutheran Invitational.