CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston men's cross country team notched their best mark in program history in an 8K with an average time of 27:11. The previous record was the Jim Drews Invitational in 2022. The Golden Eagles placed 16th of 24 teams in the Gold Division at the Greeno/Dirksen Invitational, hosted by the University of Nebraska and Nebraska Wesleyan University at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb.

The Golden Eagles have continued to show great improvement this season with a strong start on the course. Minnesota Crookston was led by Connor Thoennes (So., Coleraine, Minn.), who has had an excellent start to the season. Thoennes placed 68th with a time of 26:24.87 for a personal record. Warden Dahlgren (Sr., Edgeley, N.D.) set a personal record in the 8K with a time of 28:44.96. Riley Hanson (R-Fr., Farmington, N.D.) clocked in at 27:19.29. Colton Uber (R-Jr., Brunswick, Ohio) finished with a time of 27:20.54. Zach Hanson (R-Fr., Farmington, Minn.) finished in 27:23.58. Taylor Johnson (Fr., Lake Park, Minn.) put up a time of 27:29.92. Tristan Morneault (R-Jr., Dieppe, New Brunswick) ran in 28:15.35. Lane Hoefs (Fr., Wadena, Minn.) clocked in at 28:43.25. Chandler Gray (So., Dilworth, Minn.) posted a time of 28:52.72.

Kgadi Monyebodi of Colby Community College won the Gold Division. Nebraska University-Kearney won the Gold Division, as a team. 

Minnesota Crookston returns to action Friday, Sept. 22 at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn.