Graduate student, Maj-Lis Helmer (Duluth, MN/Duluth East HS) is the only Saints woman to have won the Ole Opener.  She won convincingly to open the 2023 cross country season. 

That 2023 season was a challenge from that point on, first conquering early-season aches and pains and emerging late in the season with great form, only to twist her ankle during a workout late into the championship season, that ultimately thwarted some big goals that were well within her reach.

So Friday's Ole Opener had the feeling of second chances for the Duluth native, who holds a season of eligibility in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track, after a year's hiatus and application to graduate school.  Her acceptance to St. Scholastica for Physical Therapy allows her to use those seasons under her 5-year clock. 

She and teammate from 2023, Junior Captain and 2024 All-MIAC honoree, Regan (DeWitt) Niemi, chased Macalester's Ingrid Nordquist and Kate Fox, for a win that eventually went to a hard charging Lauren Walda in the end.  Walda won in 18:52.3, with Nordquist second in 18:56.1, and Fox rounding out the top 3 in 19:11.9.

Helmer led the Saints in 5^th with a time of 19:35.1 while Niemi crossed the line 3.6 second further back in 7^th.

St. Olaf posted 26 points for the win, while Macalester tallied 42 points for second

The Saints women took third with 70 points, with freshman, Della Bettendorf (Proctor, MN/Proctor HS) finishing 20^th in 20:24.5, sophomore Abby Wood (Circle Pines, MN/Centennial HS) finishing 21^st in 20:27.2, freshman, Kaia Amundson finishing 36^th to close out the Saints scoring in 20:54.7.

The Saints return to action for the Hamline Invitational September 12^th at Highland Golf Course in St. Paul for the Hamline Invitational, which will go the full collegiate distance of 8km and a preview the 2025 MIAC Conference Championship course.