COLFAX, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville cross country teams ran at the Blugold Invitational hosted by UW-Eau Claire on Friday morning, with the Pioneers men's team taking first among 34 teams. The women placed 23rd overall from Whitetail Golf Course in Colfax.

Men's Highlights
For the second straight week, junior Zachary Sporaa was the men's top finisher, as he placed ninth overall while running a 25:02.2. He paced a Pioneers team that totaled 104 points to win the 8K race, finishing seven points ahead of second-place UW-Stevens Point.

Senior Caden Schneider crossed the line next, shaving over a minute off his time from two weeks ago to finish in 25:14.7 and earn 12th place. Junior Maxwell Sporaa was the third Pioneers inside the top 20, as he took 17th behind a time of 25:31.0.

Rounding out the scorers for UW-Platteville was sophomore Maxwell Voss and junior Paul Pfeifer. Voss ran a 25:49.0 for 27th overall in the field of 322 runners, while Pfeifer took 50th in 26:06.2.

Senior Joshua Stone (26:17.0) and junior Matt Tippel (26:21.9) wrapped up the top seven. Stone placed 60th, while Tippel was just a couple spots behind for 64th.

The Pioneers also won the men's open 8K race, scoring 48 points to finish atop the standings. Junior Spencer Thiry paced that team with a fifth-place finish while running a personal-best time of 26:49.0.

Women's Highlights
The women finished with 578 points, which ranked 23rd out of 36 teams competing. Junior Megan Hageman was the top finisher for the Pioneers for the second consecutive meet, placing 92nd overall with a time of 24:15.8.

Senior Avery Brown was second for UW-Platteville, taking 100th in the field of 337 and running a 24:22.9. Freshman Cecilia Skalsky (24:34.0) improved upon her season-opening time by a minute and placed 121st overall to finish as the third Pioneer.

Sophomore Caitlin Wirth (25:02.9) and senior Leah Digmann (25:06.5) rounded out the top five scorers for UW-Platteville. Wirth finished 165th, while Digmann was right behind for 169th.

Up Next
The Pioneers will run again in two weeks at the Augustana Interregional Invite on Saturday, October 18. The meet will take place at Sauke Golf Course in Rock Island, Illinois with the men running at 11 a.m. and the women following at noon.
 
*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a free ice cream cone (with purchase) the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering a free churro (with purchase) the day after each Pioneer win.