The Gustavus men’s cross country squad finished eighth at the 2005 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Como Park in St. Paul. Junior Alex Zupan (Monona, Wis.) was the highest placed Gustie runner, finishing 21st in a time of 27:05.15. Zupan received Honorable Mention All-Conference honors with his finish.
Gustavus accumulated 199 points to finish just seven points back of seventh place Bethel. Hamline placed five runners in the top ten and seven in the top 20 to out-distance Carleton, 32-59, and claim their fourth MIAC championship and first since 1977.
Dan Westlund (Sr., Northfield, Minn.) was the next fastest Gustie runner, finishing 42nd in a time of 27:47.45, followed closely by junior Collin Meierbachtol (Northfield, Minn.) in 46th place with a time of 27:51.75.
The Gusties will not compete next weekend, taking time off to train before the NCAA Division III Central Region Championships on November 12. The meet will be hosted by Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.