RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2019 season Saturday by hosting the Hardrocker Cross Country Classic at Robbinsdale Park in Rapid City, S.D.
The Hardrocker men won their own event while the SD Mines women's team notched second place on the day. The men's team tallied 17 points to win the meet while the women notched 39 points, just five out of first place to take the runners-up position in the team standings.
 "We were really happy with the way we competed today. There were some very strong competitors in both fields and it was great to see us get off to a strong start," said Hardrocker cross country head coach
Steve Johnson. Â
Individually on the men's side, the 'Rockers placed nine runners in the Top 12.
Ryan Moen was the top Rocker, earning second place in a time of 28 minutes 17.74 seconds,
Anders Watt earned third place in a time of 28:19.84 and
Joel Haas took fourth after clocking a 28:22.68.
Lukas Lehmpuhl took sixth place (28:34.58);
Jacob Huber finished seventh place (28:43.18);
Timothy Dunham secured eighth (28:46.99);
Brett Flerchinger came in 10th (28:5978);
Sam Elliott was 11th (29:10.74);
Monty Christo, III took 12th (29:17.14);
Grant Bauer took 16th (29:40.74); and
Andrew Ferris secured 23rd (31.39.27).
In the team standings, SD Mines was first with 17 points, MSU-Billings came in second with 57 points, Chadron State took third with 66 points, Valley City State came in fourth with 105 points and Trinity Bible College had 132 points for fifth place.
 "Our men really kicked things off with a bang. We have talked a lot about the importance of a strong pack and they did a great job running as a team today," Johnson said.
In the women's race,
Adeline Wilson was the highest placing Hardrocker, taking third with a time of 21:33.27,Â
Kayla Gagen was sixth in a time of 22:09.87;
Nadia Kaczmarz earned ninth place after clocking a 22:26.49;
Alyssa Franke posted a 22:27.90 for ninth place; and
Taylor Bright clocked a 23:37.84 and finished 15th.
In the team standings, Chadron State won the women's division with 34 points, SD Mines was second with 39, MSU-Billings grabbed third with 69 and Valley City State finished fourth with 73 points.
 "The women also showed a very solid start. Putting all 5 scorers in the top 15 is a real confidence booster and lays great groundwork for the future," Johnson added.
