SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The College of Saint Mary cross country team got its season started on the right foot Saturday with a third-place finish at the Dordt Sunflower Open.

The Flames turned in a team-score of 81 to place behind champion Dordt (15) and runner-up Dakota State (62) in the six-team field. Following CSM were Morningside (106), Sioux Falls (115) and Northwestern (169).

"It was a fantastic start to the season,'' CSM Coach Derek Fey said. "Last year, we finished sixth (of eight teams) at this meet and this year we moved up to third.''

For the Flames, a pair of freshmen led the way, as Kara Muller placed 14th in 19:44.78 over the 5K course, and Carly Henderson was 19th in 20:07.04. Also figuring in the team scoring were junior Corinne Mead, 25th in 20:33.64; sophomore Mira Fosmer, 29th in 20:47.46; and senior Brooke Wigdahl, 30th in 20:49.84. Rounding out the top seven were senior Autumn Simons, 32nd in 20:53.28, and freshman Josie Karnik, 42nd in 21:16.27. Also competing were Eva Georgoulopoulos (45th, 21:29.67), Yenifer Juan Jesus (49th, 21:35.80), Kiley Craft (55th, 21:55.59), Natalie Briggs (59th, 22:05.57), Peyton Bell (64th, 22:27.05) and Kaitlyn Thalman (67th, 22:34.04).

"We had several great performances today, but still have a lot to work on, which is encouraging,'' Fey said. "With a pack time of just over one minute, we have the makings of a very good team.''

The Flames will be back in action on Sept. 21 at the Woody Greeno Invite in Lincoln, Neb.