NIU’s cross-country club recently competed at the Olivet Nazarene University Great Midwest Classic last Saturday and ran in impressive fashion.

The Huskies placed ninth out of 24 teams in the match.

Purdue University led all teams followed by Southern Illinois University and Lindenwood College.

“It was the best we’ve ever run,” said coach Dan Jacobson. “We destroyed a lot of teams we barely ever came close to (Olivet Nazarene and Wisconsin-Green Bay).”

Junior Mitch Rubenstein led all NIU runners, finishing the five-mile course in 27:27, good enough for 29th place. Gary Randles finished right behind Rubenstein in 30th with a time of 27:29. John Temple finished in 43rd with a 28:01 time, Jacobson came in 48th with a time of 28:13, and Matt Rinenbach placed 59th, finishing in 28:48.

Freshman Jenny May finished 12th in the women’s race with a time of 20:13.

“It was one of the best races she’s had this season,” Jacobson said. “We really need some other ladies to help along.”

The Huskie cross-country club will take a break before heading to the University of Chicago on November 6th where they hope to finish the season on a high note.