TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - On a picturesque Saturday afternoon, senior cross country runner Brad Wheeler gave an inspired performance, turning in the second fastest 8K time in IUPUI history at the Indiana State Pre-Nationals. The rejuvenated Wheeler covered the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in a time of 24:14.6, finishing just over six seconds off his school record at that distance.

Wheeler placed 177th of 261 runners.

IUPUI finished 36th of 38 teams in the Blue Race, as the event annually attracts the nation's elite schools.

No. 15 Northern Arizona upset No. 4 Iona for the team title, outdistancing the Gaels, 124-136. California finished third at 157. Northern Arizona's Lopez Lamong set a new course record at 23:02.3 to take the individual tape.

Wheeler's help came from freshman Aaron Kremer, who finished 192nd at 25:28.0 and junior Jesse Cacy who placed 214th at 25:47.5.

Cacy's high school teammate, Joe Hoffman crossed in a time of 26:42.8 while Evan Fruits rounded out the scoring in a time of 26:54.3. Fifth-year senior Justin Reuter turned in a time of 27:26.9 and redshirt freshman Kevin Nuppnau came in at 27:54.8.

Freshman Kyle Rusie ran in the Open Race, finishing in a time of 28:32.9.

IUPUI's next race will be the Summit League Championships in Macomb, Ill. on Oct. 27. The Jaguars opened the season running the course at Spring Lake Park.