BROOKINGS, S.D. – The North Dakota State men's cross country team claimed third place in a tight team race at the SDSU Classic on Friday evening at Edgebrook Golf Course.
 
The Bison men had six individuals finish among the top 18 at the meet, while no other team had more than four runners in the top 18.
 
Seniors Zach Johnson and Jake Arason led NDSU, with Johnson placing eighth in 25:03.40 for the eight-kilometer race and Arason taking ninth in 25:05.06.
 
Symon Keiser finished 11th in 25:10.60, Hunter Klimek was 13th in 25:12.72, and Payton Smith took 15th in 25:13.70. NDSU's Tyson Mahar was 18th with a time of 25:17.20.
 
South Dakota State edged out the competition for the team title with 51 points. North Dakota took second with 52 points, and the Bison were third with 56.
 
NDSU was the first team to send its No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 finishers across the line, but the Jackrabbits claimed the team title by virtue of a 1-2 individual finish. The top five scoring runners for the Bison all finished within a 10-second window.
 
The Bison will compete next at the Roy Griak Invitational hosted by Minnesota on Sept. 22.