ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Saints joined 12 nationally ranked teams and most of the MIAC and NCAA North Region in Rock Island for the Interregional Invitational hosted by Augustana College.

Jules Bleskoski of RPI ran away from the field to win the Gold Division 6K in 20:47.4. Trine's Sidney Swick finished second, nearly a minute behind Bleskoski, in 21:42.0. Alison Mueller-Hickler of Colorado College finished third in 21:43.3.

Regan Niemi (Bemidji, MN/Bemidji HS) led the Saints as she has in three of four races this season, finishing 103rd in 23:25.1. Abby Wood (Circle Pines, MN/Centennial HS) extended her streak of personal-best 6Ks to three in a row, crossing the line in 135th place in 23:47.9. Kaia Osmundson (Chisago Lakes, MN/Chisago Lakes HS) scored third again for the Saints, finishing 192nd in 24:20.6. Two seconds back, teammate Della Bettendorf (Proctor, MN/Proctor HS) nudged her 6K best two seconds faster, crossing in 194th and fourth for the Saints. Katelyn Torrel (Gilbert, MN/Virginia/Rock Ridge HS) scored for the Saints for the first time, crossing the line in 241st to be the final scorer. She bettered her 6K best by 24 seconds with a time of 24:54.1.

The Interregional continued the season's theme of uncommonly hot conditions, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s and high humidity.

Saints head coach Chad Salmela remained philosophical.

"It's always tough feeling like the weather disadvantages your team every single meet of the year so far, but that's just sport," said Salmela. "All we can do is our best, and we're doing that every day. We just have to keep working and hope that we get a chance to show our preparation is good. Which it is."

The Saints' next opportunity is the MIAC Championships in two weeks at Highland Park Golf Course in St. Paul, Nov. 1.