October 26, 2024
ASHLAND, Neb. – Numerous Dakota State (S.D.) men's runners posted personal record times Saturday morning in one of the largest NAIA cross country meets this season, the Blazing Tigers NAIA Classic hosted by Doane (Neb.). Over 335 runners from nearly 30 different teams competed in the cross country regular-season finale at Olsson Cross Country Course at Mahoney State Park.
Dakota State finished 20
th overall as a team with a low score of 515 points, edging North Star Athletic Association's fellow Jamestown (N.D.) by one point (516 points).
NAIA's No. 3 ranked College of Idaho won the team title with 31 points, thanks to three runners placing in the top three. Daniel Butler captured the 8K individual title with a time of 23 minutes, 56.1 seconds.
Caleb Sayler led the Trojans with 42
nd place finish with a time of 25 minutes, 37.2 seconds.
Cody Farland made his season debut with a time of 26 minutes, 33.2 seconds, placing 106
th.
Benjamin Strunk registered a personal record time of 27 minutes, 17.5 seconds to finish 166
th.
Blake Schmiedt followed up with 178
th place in 27:24.4.
Curtis Johnson followed up with a season best time of 27:25.1 to place 179
th.
Franklin Johns clocked a personal best time of 27:46.4 for the Trojans, followed by
Jonah Thiele with a personal record time of 27:47.4.
Joshua Tucker recorded a time of 27 minutes, 47.5 seconds,
Tyler Nicke in 27:50.8, and
Reese Henrie in 27:57.7.
Other DSU runners included
Yohannes Kassa (28:33.2 – personal record),
Grayson Madsen (28:54.2 – personal record),
Roger Oliete Tejedor (28:59.8),
Holden Jelen (29:01.7 – personal record),
Logan Recoy (29:08.1 – personal record),
Lucas Harr (30:58.3 – personal record),
Kaiden Akey (31:28.5 – personal record), and
Hunter Dimick 35:01.2).
Dakota State is preparing for the North Star Athletic Association Cross Country Championships on Friday, Nov. 8. The conference meet is hosted by Valley City State (N.D.) at Valley City Town & Country Club. The men's 8K race is set for 10:30 a.m. in Valley City, N.D.
