NORTHFIELD, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's cross country team competed at the St. Olaf Invitational on Saturday, placing second of 20 teams with 73 points.

Full Results

The field consisted of four NCAA Division III nationally ranked teams including St. Olaf, currently ranked second; Carleton, currently ranked 16^th; Central (IA), currently ranked 30^th; and the Blugolds who are currently ranked fourth nationally.  St. Olaf won the meet with 59 points.

Christian Leitner (Sr.-Red Wing, MN), Ryan Mugan (Sr.-Howards Grove, WI) and Darin Lau (So.-Eau Claire, WI/ Immanuel Lutheran) worked together the final half of the 8K and this teamwork paid off with all three placing in the top six in a field of over 300 runners.

Leitner, who placed 16^th in the 10K at outdoor track nationals this spring, was the top finisher for the Blugolds placing second in 25:23.  Ryan Mugan, who is a two-time Cross Country All-American (13^th in '13 & 10^th in '14), placed fourth in 25:28 and Darin Lau, who was an All-American last year as a freshmen  (31^st), finished sixth in 25:35. 

Rounding out the top five scorers for UW-Eau Claire were Steven Schimmel (Sr.-Rochester, MN/Mayo) and Brendon Paucek (So.-Sullivan, WI/Jefferson) placing 30^th and 31^st in 26:34 and 26:35, respectively.

The men will take this upcoming weekend off from competition in preparation for the Blugold Invitational on Friday, October 2^nd at Whitetail Golf Course near Colfax, WI.