SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The IUPUI men's cross country team finished fourth amongst a stiff 21-team field in the Gold Race of the Joe Piane Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame on Friday. The Jaguars trailed only Cal Baptist, Utah Valley and Cincinnati, while defeating opponents from numerous power conferences, including Auburn, Ohio State, Vanderbilt and Clemson. 

Nate Kaiser moved up late, finishing 12th overall in a time of 24:57.1 in the 5-mile race. He and the Jaguars' entire lineup charged hard to maintain a top-five finish, despite not having a true low stick. 

"The team wanted to get out fast to get into good position early. We did a decent job and held strong throughout and closed extremely well," Kaiser said. "It was great to compete against conference teams as well with Youngstown State and UIC. It's exciting to run a big race and compete well, considering the heat."

Mitchell Gits continued to round into form by placing 23rd in a time of 25:10.6 and Eric Petersen was 25th at 25:12.4. Nick Perkins clocked a time of 25:15.0 to finish 28th and Mitchell Rans was IUPUI's No. 5 man in a time of 25:40.6. 

Alex Ratkovich spun a time of 25:46.7 and Grant Moon finished at 25:55.7. Eric Hoffman rounded out the IUPUI entries with a time of 26:15.0. 

IUPUI finished fourth with 130 points, just behind Cincinnati's 123 points. The Jaguars finished just ahead of Youngstown State's 194 points in the standings. 

"I thought the guys did a nice job today," head coach Chuck Koeppen said. "It was hot out there, but our guys just run tougher under tougher conditions. I didn't think it bothered us a whole lot. 

"Kaiser continues to lead the way for us, but we've just got a really nice, solid pack there running together. We've got some guys who will continue to improve and get better, but today was a pretty good day for us."

IUPUI will return to action on Friday, Oct. 15 when the Jaguars participate in the Bradley 'Pink' Invitational in Peoria, Ill.