Final Results (.pdf) I Photo Gallery

VERONA, Wisc. - The IUPUI men's cross country team used another balanced effort to post a 14th place finish at Friday's NCAA Great Lakes Regional at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course, fueled by Eric Hoffman's 55th place finish. Hoffman, who ran through illness to help spearhead the Jaguars' Horizon League Championship two weeks ago, was IUPUI's top finisher in a time of 31:50.4 on Friday, marking the 11th quickest 10,000m effort in program history. 

However, it was the Jaguars' pack that prompted the top-15 finish as Alex Ratkovich was 71st in a time of 32:08.4 and Ben Savage was 86th at 32:28.6. Freshman Nate Kaiser was 96th at 32:39.2 and fellow freshman Brennan Butche, crossed at 32:58.8 to place 117th overall. Austin Ohm (126th - 33:10.1) and Dustin Starnes (148th - 33:43.6) rounded out the IUPUI entries. 

"I thought our guys did a pretty good job out there today. It's a tough race, especially for some of the younger guys who haven't run a collegiate 10K before and run in such a big field like this before," head coach Chuck Koeppen said. "I was really proud of Hoffy and Ratkovich and Savage for how well they ran today and those two freshmen, Kaiser and Butche, are just super tough runners. It's kind of exciting to think that most all of these kids will be back, so I've got to say the future looks really bright for the Jaguars."

The majority of the IUPUI pack went out slowly and continually moved up, keyed by Hoffman, who made an early move after the opening 2,000 meters. Ratkovich and Savage matched Hoffman's move while Kaiser and Starnes slid back after taking the team out early. 

"It was a tough race from the start, but I was able to stay patient and kept moving up, little by little," Hoffman said. "It was a great way to end the season. I'm proud of my boys."

Purdue captured the regional title with 79 points, edging a hotly contested bunch that included Notre Dame (85), Michigan (86), Indiana (87) and Wisconsin (96). Cincinnati's Aaron Bienenfeld collected a wire-to-wire victory, crossing in a time of 29:59.9. 

On the heels of winning the program's first-ever Horizon League title, IUPUI was the top Horizon League team at Friday's meet as well as Milwaukee was 18th and Oakland placed 19th. 

Koeppen's team will now turn to the indoor track as competition will begin on Dec. 7 at the Mastodon Opener. 

Team Standings
1. Purdue - 79
2. Notre Dame - 85
3. Michigan - 86
4. Indiana - 87
5. Wisconsin - 96
6. Michigan State - 170
7. Butler - 197
8. Akron - 298
9. Ohio State - 326
10. Eastern Michigan - 347
11. Central Michigan - 350
12. Miami (Ohio) - 381
13. Marquette - 395
14. IUPUI - 419
15. Ohio - 450
16. Cincinnati - 478
17. Toledo - 493
18. Milwaukee - 506
19. Oakland - 537
20. Dayton - 559
21. Bowling Green - 560
22. Valparaiso - 577
23. Youngstown State - 589
24. Wright State - 667
25. Detroit Mercy - 693
26. Xavier - 719
27. Purdue Fort Wayne - 785
28. Green Bay - 902
29. Evansville - 924

Individual Results
55. Eric Hoffman - 31:50.4
71. Alex Ratkovich - 32:08.4
86. Ben Savage - 32:28.6
96. Nate Kaiser - 32:39.2
117. Brennan Butche - 32:58.8
126. Austin Ohm - 33:10.1
148. Dustin Starnes - 33:43.6