3k Results | 4k Results | 5k Results
Aberdeen, S.D. – Northern State Cross Country hosted the annual Roe Granger Alumni race this Friday, and for the first time it was run under the lights. NSU student-athletes, alumni, and members of the community took to Moccasin Creek Soccer Complex to take part in the first of many NSU glow-runs. Participants were given a glow in the dark t-shirt along with glow sticks while running on the lit, late night path. Youth, middle school, and high school runners participated earlier in the evening.
 
"This was a fun new way to open up the season, and a great opportunity to combine our annual high school Roe Granger cross country meet with our collegiate season opener," said head coach Kevin Bjerke. "It was a great atmosphere and the team preformed quite well and accomplished our goal of knocking some rust off and getting back into the groove of racing with each other. We had some great pack running throughout on both the men's and women's side."
 
Participants ran together, however were able to pick their distance between a 3k, 4k, or 5k. A total of nine runners participated in the 3k race led by Itiot Rodridguez-Erronodos with a time of 11:43.00. The 4k run featured nine participants as well led by NSU junior Dakotah Bullen finishing at 14:48.00. Nicole Arnold (15:40.00), Hanna Wahl (15:55.00), Lindsey Gast (16:08.00), Paige Larson (16:21.00), and Courtney Brandt (16:49.00) finished second through sixth behind Bullen.
 
"On the women's side, incoming freshmen Hanna Wahl and Paige Larson mixed right in with the Wolves' returning 3rd and 4th runners, Nicole Arnold and Lindsey Gast, from last season, all finishing within 40 seconds of each other. Meanwhile, Dakotah Bullen blazed the path for the team to finish about a minute ahead of the entire 4k field and lead the Wolves' 1-6 sweep.  Courtney Brandt rounded out the team's efforts finishing close behind Larson for 6th overall."
 
The 5k race featured 25 participants including NSU student-athletes, NSU alumni, members of the Trinity Bible College team, and members of the community. Former Wolf Jayce Seelig finished first overall at 16:32.00. Hunter Kopff was the first NSU finisher in second with a time of 16:48.00, followed by freshmen Tanner Peltier at 17:10.00.  Ben Jack hit the finish line just after Peltier with a time of 17:10.80. Coming in fifth through ninth were Wolves student athletes Thomas Horgeshimer (17:20.00), Clay Danielson (17:24.00), Nathan Patterson (17:29.00), Blake Perryman (17:32.00), and Logan Swenson (18:08.00).
 
"The men's squad welcomed back 5th year senior Hunter Kopff, who led the Wolves as he did for most of the 2013 season before redshirting last fall. Kopff edged in front of true freshmen teammate Tanner Peltier half way through the race to finish in 16:48. Peltier, fresh off an all-state cross country season for the Aberdeen Central Eagles, led early to eventually finish 3rd behind Kopff and NSU Alumni Jayce Seelig."
 
Northern State cross country returns to the race course next Saturday for the Herb Blakely Invite host by Dakota State in Madison. Women are set to start at 10:30 a.m., with the men to follow at 11:15.