ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's cross country team finished in 11^th place out of 39 teams at the 2011 NCAA Division III Midwest Regional at Saukie Golf Course today.

North Central College (Ill.) won the 8,000-meter race with 42 points while Washington University (Mo.) was second with 114 and UW-Oshkosh was third with 136. The Blugolds finished with 317.

North Central's Matthew Perez paced the field of 277 runners as he took the top spot with a time of 24:41.7.

Leading the Blugolds today was Aaron Easker (Jr.-Eland, Wis./Wittenberg-Birnamwood), who came in 42^nd place with a time of 25:56.9.

Conor Rafferty (Jr.-Menomonee Falls, Wis.) came in next for Eau Claire with a time of 26:14.1 to take 53^rd while Paul Hetke (Jr.-Chetek, Wis.) took 61^st with a mark of 26:18.9

Rounding out the top five for Eau Claire were Michael Borden (Sr.-Holmen, Wis.) in 80^th place and Tyler Olson (Fr.-Maple Grove, Minn.) in 81^st place.

The Blugolds will now wait to see if any individuals are selected to compete next weekend at nationals, which will be hosted by UW-Oshkosh.

-KM-