Though it certainly wasnâÄôt the toughest field theyâÄôve faced, the menâÄôs cross country team recorded a perfect score in a meet against primarily Division III schools Friday. The top nine finishers were all Minnesota runners, though four werenâÄôt competing as Gophers to preserve a year of eligibility. The teamâÄôs second tier of runners âÄî those not competing in regionals next week âÄî competed at St. JohnâÄôs University against the likes of Bethel and Gustavus, with South Dakota State being the only other Division I school participating. Even so, Minnesota runners posted impressive times, showing a depth that will serve them well in coming years. All nine finished within 32 second of each other, with ninth place Matt Volz finishing in 25 minutes, 30 seconds. âÄúI canâÄôt really think of many teams that can run 17 guys under 25 [minutes], 30 [seconds],âÄù assistant coach Chris Rombough said. The athletes who competed at SJU effectively ended their season, as most will not be competing at regionals. Paul Hilsen, who took fourth, was originally an alternate for regionals but will be replaced by Mike McFarland, Rombough said. Only seven runners compete per team for regionals, with two alternates. Endowment The womenâÄôs team hosted the 30th annual RockyâÄôs Run on Sunday, with proceeds going to the Rocky Racette scholarship fund. The race is open to the public and proceeds, which have been collected since the race began in 1981, reached the $25,000 mark this year. ThatâÄôs significant because now the scholarship has reached Bronze Level Endowment, protecting it in future years. Rochelle âÄúRockyâÄù Racette holds the school record for the 10-kilometer race, though this yearâÄôs scholarship recipient, Amy Laskowske, has a legitimate chance to break that. Racette died in a car accident in 1981. Her youngest sister Noelle ran this year with her dog Arti. âÄúI think itâÄôs absolutely wonderful,âÄù she said. âÄúItâÄôs kind of like helping your neighbor out, as well as going to a good cause.âÄù
Men record perfect score at DIII-heavy meet
Published November 7, 2010
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