West Salem, Wisc. - The UW-Eau Claire Men's Cross Country team took 14th place at the Drews/Neubauer Invite, hosted by UW-La Crosse and held at Maple Grove Country Club today. Twenty-five teams competed in the event.

The host, UW-La Crosse, won the event with 75 points. UW-Platteville's Tyler Sigl ran a 24:54 and placed first individually. Iowa Central took second with 84 points. UW-Platteville placed third with 112 points. Fourth place belonged to Saint John's with 114 points, and Nebraska Wesleyan placed fifth with 162 points.

Kevin Hall (Jr.-Green Bay, WI/Preble) was the Blugolds' top runner. Hall ran a 26:58 and placed 72nd overall. Chris Wirtz (So.-Weston, WI/DC Everest) was right behind Hall. Wirtz placed 75th overall and ran a 27:03. Tony Carr (Jr.-Menomonie, WI) was the Blugolds' third runner and placed 111th while running a 27:37. Senior Kevin Burandt (New Germany, MN/Central) placed 145th and ran a 28:01. Following Burandt was Andy Warren (Jr.-Kenosha, WI/Bradford). Warren placed 150th and ran a 28:03. Mike Blank (Fr.-New Berlin, WI/West) was next for the Blugolds. Blank placed 151st and ran a 28:04. Ben Pearson (So.-Clinton, WI) placed 162nd and ran a 28:12.

Last year the Blugolds placed 17th in the Drews/Neubauer Invite. Hall and Wirtz were both in the top five for the Blugolds last year.

Next up for the Blugolds is the Lake Wissota JV meet on Friday, October 19. Check the Blugold Athletics website for more details.

-SB-