Not even the dark of night could stop the University of Minnesota Duluth from its appointed rounds -- and a first-place finish -- at Friday's Dragon Twilight in Moorhead, Minnesota.

The Bulldogs launched their 2015 cross season in impressive fashion by placing seven of their runners among the top 11 finishers en route to claiming top honors at the eight-team meet that started at 8:15 p.m. on a 4K course at the Tri-City Storm Complex in Moorhead, Minn. UMD posted a team score of 44 points while host and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival Minnesota State University-Moorhead (93 pts.) and Concordia College of Moorhead (150 points).

The All-American trio of sophomore Emi Trost (13:49.2), senior Hannah Olson (14:04.7) and junior Breanna Colbenson (14:05.1) finished 2-3-4, just ahead of sophomore McKenzie Holt (seventh place; 14:32.7) and rookie Allyson Girard (eighth place; 14:33.8). Senior Erica Seidenkranz (14:43.3) and her sophomore sister, Amber (14:54.6), took ninth and 11th, respectively, to account for the Bulldog points scorers. Freshman Megan Stuart (15th place; 15:07.7) and junior Natalie Stauber (19th; 15:29.3) also both turned in top 20 finishes in the 83-runner field.

The two-time defending NCAA Division II Central Region champion Bulldogs will return to action next Saturday (Sept. 19) at the St. Olaf College Invitational.

2015 Dragon Twilight Results