DICKINSON, N.D. -- The Bellevue University men's cross country team ran to a fourth-place finish at Friday's NSAA cross country championships hosted by Dickinson State at the Heart River Golf Course.
Cool morning temperatures caused a 90-minute delay as the frost melted on the fairways of the golf course. By 12:30, sunny skies, 40 degrees with a blustery wind, greeted the 48 competitors.
The men of Dakota State dominated the race, taking seven of the top ten places and running to a low team score of 19 and the conference championship. They will represent the NSAA at the national championship meet in Tallahassee on November 18.
The Bruins fielded a full team of five for the first time this season and placed fourth, just four points behind third-place Viterbo.
Richard Marcoux led the Bruins as he had done all season with an 18th-place finish in 28:29.0 for the eight-kilometer course. He was followed closely by Collin Kotz (20th in 28:43.3) and Aaron Newton (22nd in 28:56.9). Rounding out the Bruin scoring was Kaleb Wooten running 29:58.9 for 32nd and Edrei Murillo in 34th crossing in 30:08.5.
Collin Kotz was recognized as the NSAA Champions of Character recipient.
The conference meet concludes the Bruins' fifth season of cross country at Bellevue. The athletes will be back in action for the indoor track season in January.
