NIACC's Jacques makes history

ST. PAUL, Minn. - NIACC freshman Brian Jacques made history on Saturday.

Jacques became the first NIACC runner to claim an individual title at the Roy Griak Invitational by winning the Division III race in a time of 27 minutes, 7 seconds in the 8-kilometer race on the Les Bolstad Golf Course.

The previous highest finish by a Trojan was by Wal Khat, who placed fifth in the 2016 Division II race. NIACC's Trent Smith was ninth in the 2012 Division II race.

In Saturday's race, the NIACC men placed second with 80 points in the Division III race. The previous highest finish by the NIACC men at the Griak Invitational was 13th in 2012.

Other counting scores for the Trojans on Saturday were Blake Keller (sixth in 28:26), David Carter (24th in 29:24), Jacob Hansen (26th in 29:33) and Canyon Kuhlmann (29th in 29:55).

This was the first season the Trojans competed in the Division III race. NIACC started running at the Griak Invitational in 2010.

NIACC, which is ranked sixth in the NJCAA Division I poll, returns to action Oct. 7 at the St. Ambrose Fighting Bee Invitational.