Chris Mangan

The men’s cross country team competed in its last run before the championships at the Jim Drews Invitational at West Salem, Wis.

The Jacks took seventh place and were led by freshman Michael Krsnak’s eighth-place finish.

The Rapid City native ran the 8,000-meter course in 25 minutes and 20.1 seconds. Sophomore Marshall Kambestad finished 12th with a time of 25:29.

Senior Joe Roby was the next Jackrabbit across the finish line, finishing 51st with a time of 26:16.6.

Brad Anderson came in 59th with a time of 26:31.1, while Todd Vlieger finished 77th with a time of 26:51.3.

“The men’s team ran well on Saturday, but due to injuries, we have not been at full strength since mid-September,” Rod DeHaven, head cross country coach, said.

“Many of the guys had their best times of the season, so they were very positive about their performances.”

Both teams are off until the Summit League Tournament Nov. 1 at Shreveport, La.

The men finished fourth last year, while the women came in third.

“We just need to avoid injury and illness at this point in the season,” said DeHaven.

“The men have an opportunity to place in the top-three in the league. If we can get a couple of our injured guys back in the lineup, then that possibility becomes better.”

The host team UW-Lacrosse won the Jim Drews Invitational. Wisconsin placed second, North Dakota State took home fourth. UW-Platteville took sixth place and placed ahead of SDSU in the final team standings.

#1.882299:3712952743.jpg:cross country_SI.jpg::Courtesy of Sports Information