NIU cross country placed sixth overall at the NIU open on Saturday.

The Huskies defeated UIC, Knox College and Robert Morris University to win their invitational.

NIU’s Claire McAuley and Courtney Oldenburg were two of NIU’s key runners who stood out in the competition.

McAuley finished in 39th place in the competition for the Huskies, clocking in at 20:31.81.

“I placed second on the team and I was pleased with that,” McAuley said. “That was an achievement for me.”

Oldenburg placed 11th in the race clocked in at 19:07.81.

Oldenburg said that placing is not the most important thing for the Huskies right now; their number one goal is getting better.

“Right now we are just looking forward to our October match and making sure we do well there,” Oldenburg said.