Release courtesy of Matt Higgins, MIAC Assistant Executive Director
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus men’s cross country team had a victorious and historic showing Friday at the Falcon Invitational, hosted by UW-River Falls. The Gusties claimed first place as a team at the invite – the program’s first win since 2010 – behind a standout performance by senior Paul Nordquist (Edina, Minn.), who finished second individually and first among MIAC runners. For his performance, the MIAC sports information directors honored Nordquist Tuesday with the MIAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete-of-the-Week award.
Nordquist picked a great time for the best race of his career, as he crossed the finish line of the 8,000-meter course in 25:29.66 for a new personal-best time, and the second-best time in the race, just 19 seconds behind winner Charles Corbett of UW-Superior. Nordquist led a trio of Gustavus runners to finish in the top six, as the team finished with 62 points to best the seven-team field, which included six Division III squads, two other MIAC teams (Carleton and Bethel) and Division II St. Cloud State.
The Gusties hope to keep their momentum rolling Saturday when they head to Northfield, Minn., for a competitive meet against several of the MIAC’s teams. Gustavus will compete in the St. Olaf College Invitational, which is set to begin on the Oles’ campus Saturday at 10 a.m., and they’ll return to Northfield on Oct. 3 for Carleton’s “The Running of the Cows” meet.