By Alanna Huggett, UWEC Sports Information
Decorah, IA (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's cross country team raced at the Luther Saga Cup invitational on Friday. The meet was hosted by Luther College. The Blugolds placed 2nd with a score of 46 points. Wartburg College won the meet with 16 points.
Jake Petri (So. – Muskego, WI) was the first finisher for the Blugolds. Petri placed 5th with a time of 27:18.5. Petri said that while the snowy race day weather was less than ideal, it didn't impact him mentally during the race.
Petri said, "Physically the conditions hindered maximum performance, but it did not impact me mentally. They were super fun conditions to race in!"
Following Petri was teammate Jackson Wichtendahl (So. – Alexandria, MN). Wichtendahl finished 8th with a time of 27:25.3. Harrison Redepenning (Sr. – Anoka, MN) finished in 9th place with a time of 27:25.8, right behind his teammate.
Dan Lau (So. – Eau Claire, WI/Immanuel Lutheran) was the next Blugold to cross the line, placing 10th running a time of 27:28.4. Preston Guttenberg (Fr. – Black River Falls, WI/Blair-Taylor) rounded out the scoring 5 for the Blugolds. Guttenberg placed 14th with a time of 27:44.
Cole Michaelsen (Fr. – New Auburn, WI/Bloomer) placed 15th with a time of 27:48.8. Braxton Doucette (So. – Madison, WI/Madison La Follette) rounded out the top 7 for the men, placing 28th with a time of 28:21.3.
Petri also commented on the team's performance at the Saga cup. Petri said an important thing on Friday was to stay mentally engaged during the race despite snowy and icy conditions.
Petri said, "I think the team performed well overall. The men worked well together up front and kept each other motivated to keep rolling."
Head Coach Dan Schwamberger said, "I was impressed with the way people competed in the snow and cold at Luther."
Schwamberger also said he's excited to see what's possible the remaining weeks of the season.
The Blugolds will be back in action on Saturday, November 16 for the NCAA Regional meet held at the Lake Breeze Golf Course in Winneconne, WI.
