Blugolds Win Second Consecutive WIAC Team Title

Posted: Oct 31, 2015

OSHKOSH, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire competed at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Cross Country Championships hosted by UW-Oshkosh at Lake Breeze Golf Course on Saturday, October 31^st. The weather created challenging conditions with gusty winds, temps in the mid 40's and a consistent drizzle that provided plenty of mud for competitors to race through. The Blugold men placed 1^st of 8 teams with 33 points.

Results | Photos

The Blugold men proved they are the top conference team and one of the top national contenders placing 4 runners in the top 7 and 10 runners in the top 30 of the conference field. Josh Thorson (Jr.-Plymouth, MN/Wayzata HS), Ryan Mugan (Sr.-Howards Grove, WI) and Darin Lau (So.-Eau Claire, WI/Immanuel Lutheran) ran smart by working together a majority of the 8K race distance and finished 2^nd (24:49), 3^rd (25:00) and 4^th (25:04) respectively. Christian Leitner (Sr.-Red Wing,MN) ran a great race being patient early and finishing the final third incredibly strong to finish 6^th overall in 25:31.

Rounding out the top 10 for the Blugold men were: Brendon Paucek (Jr.-Jefferson, WI)-18^th in 26:14, Matt Cooper (Jr.-Ashwaubenon, WI)-19^th in 26:15, Steven Schimmel (Sr.-Stewartville, MN/Rochester Mayo)-22^nd in 26:18, Nick Petersson (Jr.-Brookfield, WI/Central)-23^rd in 26:20, Ryan Graham (Jr.-Maple Grove, MN)-28^th in 26:30 and Riley Huffman (So.-Oshkosh, WI/North)-30^th in 26:31.

Up next for the Blugolds is the "JV Cup" this Friday, November 6^th hosted by Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The women's 6K starts at 3:30 pm followed by the men's 8K at 4:15 pm. The top 8 runners on the women's and men's side will not race Friday in preparation for the Midwest Regional Championships hosted by Augustana College at Saukie Golf Course in Moline, IL on Saturday, November 14^th.