By Dan Lau, UWEC Sports Information
WEST SALEM, Wis. (blugolds.com) The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's cross country team competed in the WIAC Championships hosted by UW-La Crosse on Saturday. The Blugolds took fourth out of eight teams, scoring 100 points. UW-La Crosse, UW-Whitewater, and UW-Stout took the top three spots, respectively.
The UW-Eau Claire men raced in ideal conditions at Maple Grove in West Salem. The course was held on an old golf course that now serves as a popular cross country venue.
Mason Shea (Jr. - River Falls, Wis.) was the top Blugold with a 17th-place finish at 25:43.6, which earned him a WIAC honorable mention award. Next in for Eau Claire was Sam Verkerke (Jr. - White Bear Lake, Minn.) with a 21st-place finish at 25:53.8.
Also scoring for the Blugolds in the team's top five were Jesse Peterson (So. - St. Paul, Minn./Highland Park) in 22nd with a 25:59.5, Tyler Osen (Sr. - Lakeville, Minn./North) in 23rd with a 26:00.0, and Nic Burgdorf (So. - New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower) in 25th with a 26:01.1.
"I think the race was definitely motivating. I know the guys aren't super happy with placing fourth, but depth-wise we ran strong and I think people are definitely motivated for Luther and regionals," said coach Dan Schwamberger.
The Blugolds will be back in action at the Luther Saga Cup in Decorah, Iowa, on Friday, November 4 at 5 p.m.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Gameday or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
