By Dan Lau, UWEC Sports Information
ROCK ISLAND, IL. (Blugolds.com) The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's cross country team competed at the Augustana Interregional Invitational this Saturday. The Blugolds took 10th out of 27 teams, scoring 291 points. Pomona-Pitzer, North Central, and Wartburg took the top three respectively.
The UW- Eau Claire men ran against some of the best competition they will see all year in a very deep field. The Blugolds also had the back half of their team compete in the open race. Many men on the team set personal bests in both races.
Mason Shea (Jr.- River Falls, WI) was the first Blugold to cross the line in 54th with a 24:56.2. Coming in next was Tyler Osen (Sr.- Lakeville, MN/North) in 62nd with a 25:01.3.
Rounding out the UW-Eau Claire top five were Sam Verkerke (Jr.- White Bear Lake, MN) in 67th with a 25:06.2, Dan Lau (Sr.- Eau Claire, WI/Immanuel Lutheran) in 72nd with a 25:09.3, and Jack Hesse-Withbroe (So.- Stillwater, MN) in 74th with a 25:10.5.
In the men's open race, the Blugolds took 7th out 22 teams. Leading the Blugolds in 16th overall was Alex Carlson (Jr.- Bristol, IL/Marmion Academy) with a time of 25:47.2. Coming in next was Cooper Feltz (Fr.- Germantown, WI) in 31st with a 26:02.8.
Rounding out the Eau Claire top five were Carl Lundgren (So.- Auburndale, WI) in 42nd with a 26:13.5, Eric Kordus (Jr.- Mosinee, WI) in 45th with a 26:20.8, and Ian Barnes (Fr.- Cary, IL/Cary-Grove Community) in 64th with a 26:38.6.
"The quality of competition brought the race out fast. The cool weather with low winds and the flat course contributed to our fast times," said Blugold Sophomore Jack Hesse-Withbroe.
The Blugolds will be back in action at the City Wells 5K on Friday October 21 at 4:45 PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
