DULUTH, Minn. – The Yellowjacket men's cross country team began its season Thursday, earning a third place finish at Lester Park Golf Course.
 
UWS scored 62 points on the cool afternoon, finishing ahead of Northland (120) in the four-team meet. Finishing ahead of the 'Jackets were St. Scholastica (53 points) and host Minnesota Duluth (23).
 
Leading the way for the Yellowjackets was junior Michael Butterfield (Bovey, Minn./Greenway), finishing the five-kilometer course 12th overall with a 19:25.4 time. Classmates Aidan Doherty (Wild Rose, Wis./Wild Rose) and David Collins (Ironwood, Mich./Luther L. Wright) claimed 16th and 17th place respectively with 19:41.6 and 19:51.6 finish times.
 
Junior Zach Reese (Zimmerman, Minn./Spectrum) landed in 20th place with a 20:07.9, while newcomer Ben Plackner (Bovey, Minn./Greenway) clocked a 20:46.3 for his first collegiate race. Kieran Johnson (South Range, Wis./Northwestern) followed behind Plackner, earning a 20:55.4.
 
Rounding out the Yellowjacket runners was Tyler Smith (Ironwood, Mich./Ironwood) with a time 21:44.7, Kevin Hufziger (Macedon, N.Y./Penfield) coming in at 25:50.2, and Hendrick Hicks (Duluth, Minn./Proctor) with a 25:53.1 race time.
 
Earning first place honors was Austin Antony of Minnesota Duluth, clocking a 18:13.3.
 
The Yellowjackets return to action at the Running of the Cows, hosted by Carleton College Sept. 16. Race time starts at 10:30 a.m. at Bill Huyck Championship Course.