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BULLDOG MEN AND WOMEN PLACE FOURTH IN SATURDAY'S NSIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Cole Toepfer

The University of Minnesota Duluth men and women each exited the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Cross Championships Saturday afternoon with fourth-place finishes, virtually duplicating their placings from the previous year. 

The men, which took third in 2011, were paced by senior team captain Cole Toepher, who wound up eighth out of 106 runners with an 8K time of 25:50 while sophomore Dan Nielsen (13th; 26:01) also earned All-NSIC distinction by taking 13th (26.01). Senior Ryan Eason (21st place; 26:17), senior Jason Coffin (30th; 26:51) and freshman Mitch Fisher (39th; 27:14) were UMD's other point-getters. Agustana College won the team title in the 13-school event at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn.

"All and all,  I think this was a very good finish for us," said third-year men's coach Paul Nisius. "Since we had to replace four of our top five runners from last year this was encouraging."

Augustana College also outdistanced 13 other teams claim top women's honors while UMD finished second for the second year in row, sharing that spot with Minnesota State University-Mankato. For the fifth time in as many meets this fall,  Kaelyn Williams reigned as the Bulldogs' top individual as the rookie from Golden Valley, Minn., navigated the 6K course in 23:12, good for 12th place among 119 competitors. She was followed by freshman Hannah Olson (17th; 23:26), sophomore Alexandra Rudin (28th; 23:50), Alyssa  Salava (29th; 23:52) and junior Victoria Lutz (47th; 24:37). Both Williams and Olson were All-NSIC honorees.

The Bulldog men and women will resume action on Nov. 3 at the NCAA II Central Regional Championship in Joplin, Mo.

2012 NSIC Cross Country Championship Results

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