BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Minnesota State freshman Luis Pfister (Ottobeuren, Germany) was named NSIC men's cross country athlete of the week by the conference office on Tuesday (Sept. 23). Pfister led the Mavericks to their highest finish at the Roy Griak Invitational since 2012 on Friday after he crossed the line third in the Jo Rider Maroon Race.

His time of 26:39.4 was the second fastest among NCAA Division II competition and he was just a half second from placing second. The Mavericks took second place in the 21-team field.

Up next for men's cross country is the Lucian Rosa Invite in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sept. 27 at 10:15 a.m. With a third place finish at the Augie Twilight and second place mark at the Roy Griak Invitational, Minnesota State men's cross country is off to a strong start after being ranked fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.