WINONA, Minn. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire men's cross country team raced its way to first place out of six teams at the first annual SMU No Limit Invitational hosted by St. Mary's University (Minn.).

The Blugolds recorded just 22 points and an average finish time of 27:58.08 in the eight-kilometer course. St. Mary's University and UW-River Falls earned second and third with average times of 28:16.76 and 29:28.46, respectively.

In total, the Blugolds had five runners place within the top seven.

Josh Wieland (Sr.-Menomonie, Wis.) led the pack, crossing the finish line with a time of 27:23.40 for the day's best individual run.

Philip Schommer (So.-Kimberly, Wis.) took third with a time of 27:41:70. Teammates Alex Cole (Fr.-Lakeville, Minn./North) and Jake Zander (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) brought home fifth and sixth with respective times of 28:06.50 and 28:16.60 while Tanner Beebe (Fr.-Platteville, Wis.) finished just seconds later with a 28:22.20 to nab seventh place.

Tomorrow the Blugolds are slated to compete at the University of Minnesota Roy Griak Invitational in St. Paul, Minn. The men's race will begin at 10:40 a.m.