Truchon leads Badgers at season-opener

MADISON, Wis. – In his UW cross country debut, Josh Truchon won the individual title to highlight action for the No. 5 Wisconsin men’s cross country team at the Badger Classic on Saturday morning at the Thomas ZImmer Championship Cross Country Course. 

A native of West Allis, Truchon finished the 8K course in 24 minutes, 10 seconds to lead UW to a fourth-place team finish in the team’s first cross country meet of the season. 

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Truchon said. “It was a special feeling to look around and see your teammates that you train with every day. It gives you some extra motivation when you’re working with guys that you’ve been with day in and day out.”

“Great win for Josh Truchon,” UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. “We’re very excited about where he’s at. He will help us down the road, and that’s what we hoped was going to happen today.”

Wisconsin finished fourth as a team, with fifth-year Sam Craig crossing the line second for the Badgers, No. 12 overall, with a time of 24:51.6. Junior Oliver Paleen also placed in the top 20, finishing at 25 minutes, 7.8 seconds. Davidson transfer Joseph dosReis and senior Benjamin Nibbelink both placed in the top 50.

UW freshman  Bryce Stachewicz, who ran Saturday’s race unattached, finished in 31st while Nick Hruskoci, who also competed unattached, finished in 35th. 

“The guts of the season are a long way away,” Byrne said. “You have to be training well in September to be good in November, and we’re doing that right now.”

Up Next:

The Badgers will travel to Chicago on Friday, Sept. 29, for the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational. The men’s race will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Montrose Harbor.

Badger Open

Sept. 9, 2023

Zimmer Championship Course

8K Race

Race Results: 

1.  Josh Truchon- 24:10.3

12. Sam Craig– 24:51.6

19. Oliver Paleen– 25:7.8

31. Bryce Stachewicz (UW unattached)- 25:34.2

32. Joseph dosReis- 25:37.7

35. Nicholas Hruskoci (UW unattached)- 25:40.6

49. Benjamin Nibbelink- 26:18.1