MARQUETTE, Mich. â€Â“ The Northern Michigan University womenâ€Â™s cross country team opened up the 2005 schedule by hosting theWildcat Open at Al Quaal in Ishpeming.  The â€Â˜Cats won the competition with 21points with GLIAC member Ferris State next with 51, followed by Michigan Techwith 62 and Finlandia with 120. 

Jenny Irwin from Ferris won the womenâ€Â™s college race as shecovered the course in a time of 19:07.7.  NMU had the next four runners crossthe finish line.  Stephanie Howe was second with a clocking of 19:14.8 as shewas followed by Jane Stieber (20:14.2), Kelly Ahern (20:28.1) and BrookeRediger (20:29.5).  Jessica Kalafut was seventh in the race with a time of20:42.9, Brittney Coehoorn was ninth (21:06.8) and Laura DeWitt was 10^th(21:08.0) to round out the scorers for the â€Â˜Cats. 

Next week the â€Â˜Cats will run at the Midwest Championships in Kenosha, Wis.