JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The Valley City State men’s cross country team placed fourth out of seven teams Friday at the University of Jamestown Invite.

The Vikings totaled a 134 team score, finishing behind University of Mary, Concordia-Moorhead and Dickinson State. The Viking finished ahead of University of Jamestown, Dawson Community College and Trinity Bible College.

VCSU freshmen Govani Garza carved more than two minutes off his season-best time as ran a strong race and took advantage of a fast course Friday. Garza led the Vikings as he crossed the line in 16th place with a time of 27:49 – breaking the 30-minute mark for the first time this season. A total of 58 runners competed in the men’s 8K race on Friday.

VCSU’s Jayden Wheeling placed 24th in a time of 28:54 – also breaking the 30-minute mark for the first time this year – while Spencer Mattheis took 45th in a time of 33:09. Jacen Eissinger (54th, 35:16) and Wolley Tuala (55th, 35:38) rounded out the VCSU men competing Friday.

University of Mary – an NCAA Division II school – had runners take the Top 5 individual spots en route to the team title.

Up next: Valley City State now has two weeks off before competing at the Seminole Valley Stampede in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, Oct. 26.