By Brendon Paucek, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's cross country team won with ease their fourth annual running of the City Wells 5k. Competing against UW-Stout, the women took the top five places, earning a perfect score of 15 to Stout's 50.
Running away from the field was Emma Drangstveit (Fr. – Lakeville, MN/North). Drangstveit began to separate from the rest of the pack around 2000 meters and never looked back. She broke the 5000m course record, formerly held by Blugold Rebecca Whipple, by 8 seconds, finishing in 19:12.
In close pursuit were Mary Miles (So. – Saint Paul, MN/Como Park), Lexie Chambers (Fr. – Prior Lake, MN/Jordan), Hanna Reed (Jr. – Fort Atkinson, WI/Fort Atkinson), Taylor Lather (Stillwater, MN/St. Croix Prep Academy), and Mekendra Manders (So. – Ashwaubenon, WI/Ashwaubenon).
The pack of Blugolds finished in 2nd (19:35), 3rd (19:37), 4th (19:45), 5th (20:00) and 6th (20:07), respectively.
In an impressive team performance, the Blugolds made clear their depth and talent, which bodes well for the upcoming championship season and beyond. The top 12 runners on the roster will compete in the WIAC Championship meet on Saturday, October 28 at UW-Whitewater. The Blugolds haven't won the WIAC since 2012 but seem prepared to compete among the WIAC's best for the title. The rest of the team will continue training for the Saga Cup Cross Country Challenge on Friday, November 3 at Luther College.
