By Alanna Huggett, UWEC Sports Information
Colfax, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's cross-country team competed at their own UWEC Blugold Invite this past weekend at Whitetail Golf Course.
Racing conditions were perfect Friday night as the Blugolds along with 29 other teams lined up to race. The team had a strong showing, placing 3rd and scoring 111 points. UW-Stout won the meet with 75 points.
Head Coach Dan Schwamberger was happy with how the men's race panned out.
"Third place was really good – coming in if we asked other teams they probably would have said we'd be further back so I'm really pleased with where we're at on the guy's side," said Schwamberger.
Patrick Treacy (Sr. – Fall Creek, WI/Eau Claire Memorial) led the Blugolds, finishing in first place with a time of 24:39.9. This was Treacy's first collegiate win.
"I thought it was a good effort – it was a first collegiate win for me so I'm pretty excited – I thought I raced smart and felt smooth," Treacy said.
"Patrick winning – I mean he had an incredible last couple Ks," added Schwamberger.
In addition, Connor Dolan (So. – Nekoosa, WI/Assumption) was 24th (25:44.3), Wyatt Elmer (Sr. – Mankato, MN/Mankato Loyola) 27th (25:44.9) and Anthony Dupont (Sr. – Mendota Heights, MN/Henry Sibley) 29th (25:45.6) were the next Blugolds to finish.
Sam Kuhlmann (Sr. – Shorewood, WI/Shorewood) was 34th (25:52.2) and Jace Bartz (Fr. – White Bear Lake MN/White Bear Lake) 63rd (26:31.7) and Alex Winn (Jr. – Kingston, WA/Kingston) 71st (26:35.7) to finish up the top seven for UW-Eau Claire.
Many Blugolds found success out on the course with over half of the team running personal records (PRs). It was a fast course and the conditions proved to be ideal.
Schwamberger was very pleased with how the team ran against strong competition. This year's invite was the biggest (greatest number of teams in attendance) one since he and assistant Coach Marcie Schwamberger began coaching at UW-Eau Claire.
"It was just a fun day – I think you're always a little nervous hosting a meet with how the weather's going to be but everything worked out well," said Dan Schwamberger.
The men's cross-country team will be back in action Saturday, October 13th at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Pre-Nationals Invitational held at Lake Breeze Golf Course in Winneconne Wisconsin.
