KENOSHA - The UW-Eau Claire men's cross country team opened its 2004 season with a 10th place showing out of 29 complete teams here today at the Midwest Collegiate Open, hosted by UW-Parkside.

The field included teams from NCAA Divisions I, II and III, with Iowa State winning the men's competition with a score of 41. North Central was second with a score of 108 while Edinboro claimed third with 111 points. The Blugolds finished with a team score of 276.

Paul Zdroik (Fr.-Stevens Point/SPASH) paced the Eau Claire team, finishing the 8,000 meter course in a time of 26:14. The time was good for 33rd overall.

Ben Schmiege (Sr.-Madison/Lakeside Lutheran) finished second on the Blugolds with a time of 27:03, good for 67th place individually. Ethan Kreul (Jr.-Poynette) claimed third place on the Eau Claire team and 79th overall with a time of 27:15.

Grant Shadden from Iowa State finished with the best time out of 369 runners. Shadden finished the course in a time of 24:53.

The Blugolds return to action this Friday when they head to Northfield, Minnesota to participate in the Carleton JV meet. The competition is set to begin at 4:30 p.m.

Complete Results

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