LAKE WISSOTA, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's cross country team had eight team members finish in the top 11 at the 2012 Lake Wissota Invitational, held at Lake Wissota State Park. Five of the eight Blugolds to finish in the top 11 spots are freshmen on the 2012 team.

Finishing first for the Blugolds and in second place overall was Christian Leitner (Fr.-Red Wing, Minn.), with a time of 26:27. Joe Meister (Fr.-Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata)  followed closely behind with a time of 26:32 and a third place finish.

In fourth place was Jeffrey Quednow (Jr.-Westboro, Wis./Rib Lake), who had a time of 26:35. Teammate Matt Cooper (Fr.-Ashwaubenon, Wis.) grabbed sixth place and finished with a time of 26:53.

Steven Schimmel (Fr.-Stewartville, Minn./Mayo) crossed the line with a time of 26:56 and eighth place, while Jordan Rathke (Fr.-Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port) finished just behind Schimmel with a time of 26:56, good enough for ninth place.

Rounding out the top 11 for Eau Claire were Alex Cole (Jr.-Lakeville, Minn./North) and Tyler Hart (Jr.-Sun Prairie, Wis.), who finished in 10^th and 11^th place, respectively, with times of 27:16 and 27:28.

The Blugolds will be back in action Saturday, Oct. 27 at UW-Platteville, where they will be competing in the WIAC Championship. Races begin at noon.

-MW-