Full Results (.pdf)

CARMEL, Ind. - The IUPUI men's cross country team put up an impressive showing to capture its second straight Horizon League Championship on Thursday (Mar. 4), putting six runners among the league's top 14 finishers on way to a dominating effort. IUPUI closed with 34 points to blow away the field, outdistancing second-place Youngstown State by 47 points. 

Redshirt freshman Mitchell Gits earned the league's Freshman of the Year award and was joined on the first team all-league by Alex Ratkovich and Nick Perkins. Teammates Nate Kaiser, Brennan Butche and Eric Petersen earned second team all-league finishes as the Jaguars had a cavalcade among the front of the race. 

Head coach Chuck Koeppen was voted the league's Coach of the Year by his peers after leading IUPUI to a second straight crown. 

"I'm just so proud of these kids. And not just the kids that ran today, but all the guys in our program contributed to this win. They come out and work hard each and every day and just continue to push one another to new heights," Koeppen said. "Our guys went out and ran for each other today. You could see if from the opening gun that they were pushing each other and our pack was really strong up front. Those guys went for it from the opening gun and set the tone early.

"We've been itching for the chance to get out and run a cross country meet and today, it was just our day. Our guys were excited for the opportunity and seized the opportunity today."

Jaguars commanded the course from the opening gun as Gits ran out to an early lead and was followed closely by a collection of teammates. Ratkovich and Perkins stayed tucked in among the lead group while Kaiser, Butche and Petersen were in among the second wave. 

While YSU's Chase Easterline pulled away late for the individual title and a spot in the upcoming NCAA Championships, the second group saw UIC's Carlos Cabrera followed by a trio of Jaguars. Gits came across at 25:34.2 and Ratkovich was just behind him at 25:36.9. Perkins placed fifth at 25:37.2, all but ending any team suspense. 

After a smattering of runners from other schools came across, the final tally was sealed seconds later as Nate Kaiser placed ninth and 26:01.6 and he immediately looked back up the final chute alongside his teammates whom had already finished. 

Sophomore Brennan Butche rolled through at 26:23.4 and took a moment to savor the team victory as he crossed as the Jaguars' No. 5 finisher. Just behind him, Eric Petersen came in at 26:28.4 as a displacer and immediately joined his teammates in celebration. 

Junior distance ace Eric Hoffman struggled to a 37th place finish in a time of 27:33.3 as he labored from the outset of the race. However, IUPUI's superior depth proved impressive as the Jaguars had captured victory well before Hoffman's finish. 

"Knowing Hoff the way I do, he's happy for his teammates and happy with the championship," Koeppen said. "He didn't have his best day, but he gutted it out and some other guys stepped up today."

Thursday's win marked the Jaguars' fourth conference crown under Koeppen as the Jaguars won Summit League titles in 2014 and 2015 and have now won Horizon League titles in 2019 and 2020. Thursday's title was considered the 2020 championship as the league intends on getting back to a normal championship cycle this fall. 

IUPUI is expected to host the 2021 Horizon League Championships at Northview again this fall. 

Team Standings
1. IUPUI - 34
2. Youngstown State - 81
3. Oakland - 90
4. Milwaukee - 90
5. UIC - 107
6. Northern Kentucky - 169
7. Purdue Fort Wayne - 180
8. Wright State - 186
9. Detroit Mercy - 214
10. Green Bay - 295

Individual Results
3. Mitchell Gits - 25:34.2
4. Alex Ratkovich - 25:36.9
5. Nick Perkins - 25:37.2
9. Nate Kaiser - 26:01.6
13. Brennan Butche - 26:23.4
14. Eric Petersen - 26:28.4
37. Eric Hoffman - 27:33.3