UW-Eau Claire Cross Country: Luther Recap

The women’s and men’s cross country team opened up the season on Saturday at Luther College in Decorah, IA. On the women’s side the top 9 runners rested, which gave the younger runners on the team a great opportunity to race up front with other schools' top runners. The women’s team had a good day placing 4th of 9 teams. Kacey Rindy (jr.-Fennimore) covered the 5K course in 19:40 and was the top Blugold finisher placing 15th overall in a field of 190 runners. Rounding out the top 7 were Shelby Berning (so.-Chetek) 19:50 / 21st, Charissa Drake (jr.-Parkview) 19:56 / 25th, Victoria Janasz (fr.-Elk River, MN) 19:56 / 27th – Victoria was the 3rd freshman overall, Jenna Wise (so.-Beaver Dam) 20:08 / 36th, Michelle Brunshidle (so.-St. Croix Central) 20:12 / 39th and Angie Gasser (fr.-Tomah) 20:31 / 50th.

On the men’s side the Blugolds rested their top 8 runners, which gave freshman Michael Unruh (West St. Paul, MN / Henry Sibley HS) the opportunity to lead the way for the Blugolds. Michael covered the 4 mile course in 21:02, placing 9th overall in a field of 187 runners and helped the Blugolds to a 3rd of 11 team finish. Michael was the 2nd freshman finisher in the race. Rounding out the top 7 for the men were Kevin Weber (sr.-Mounds View, MN / Irondale HS) 21:06 / 13th, Conor Rafferty (so.-Menomonee Falls) 21:07 / 16th, Michael Borden (jr.-Holmen) 21:15 / 23rd, Jake Zander (so.-Chippewa Falls McDonell) 21:24 / 29th, Joe Martschinke (fr.-Waukesha West) 21:33 / 40th and Josh Wieland (sr.-Menomonie) 21:34 / 43rd.

Here’s a link to the complete Luther results:
Women: http://www.uwecblugolds.com/stats/wcc/2010/allamercollegewomen.htm
Men: http://www.uwecblugolds.com/stats/mcc/2010/allamercollegemen.html

The women’s and men’s team have an off week this weekend and will be racing again next week. The top 12 women and top 12 men will race at the University of Minnesota Roy Griak Invitational next Saturday, September 25th, and the rest of the team will race at the Saint Mary’s No Limit Invitational next Friday, September 24th. Results of both races will be posted on our website at: http://www.uwecblugolds.com