The Johnnie cross country team hosts the annual SJU Fall Finale at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, near the water tower/Prep School in Collegeville.

WHO IS RUNNING: The Johnnies' top 7-10 runners are not expected to compete Friday in order to rest for the Nov. 12 NCAA Central Regional at Carleton. The race is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Northfield.

A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John's finished second out of 11 teams for the second consecutive season at the 2016 MIAC Championship last Saturday (Oct. 29) at Como Park G.C. in St. Paul. Nationally-ranked St. Olaf won its fifth consecutive conference title with a total of 44 points, followed by SJU (66), Gustavus Adolphus (77) and St. Thomas (111). The top five individuals for each school counted toward the team score. 

Three Johnnies finished in the top 15 to earn All-MIAC honors, the program's most since its last title in 2007 (four All-MIAC honorees). Senior Ryan Bugler (Okinawa, Japan/Kubasaki) finished second out of the 208 runners with a time of 26:06 on the 8k course, 10 seconds behind St. Olaf's Joe Coffey. Senior Maxwell Kuzara (Deephaven, Minn./Minnetonka) claimed eighth (26:36) and was followed closely by sophomore Trey Collins (Plentywood, Mont./Royalton) in ninth (26:41). Senior Brandon Franta (La Crescent, Minn.) crossed the finish line in 21st (26:55) and junior Matthew Burgstahler (Sandpoint, Idaho) rounded out the Johnnies' five, thanks to a late push, in 26th (27:02).

NATIONAL RANKINGS: The Johnnies received votes in the most recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) national poll released Nov. 2. The Oles moved up two spots from No. 16 to No. 14. No other MIAC school received a vote.

IN THE REGION: SJU moved up two spots to No. 5 in the latest USTFCCCA Central Region rankings released Nov. 1. St. Olaf jumped Loras (Iowa) and moved into the top spot. 

WHO WILL BE HERE: In addition to the Johnnies and their alumni, other schools scheduled to attend Friday's race include Bethel, Hamline, Minnesota and Minnesota-Morris.

LAST YEAR'S FALL FINALE: SJU won last year's four-team Fall Finale on Nov. 6 (2015) in Collegeville. SJU, which was ranked No. 33 nationally, won the 8k race with 15 points, followed by Bethel (76), Martin Luther (85) and Hamline (88). Andrew Hansen '16 led the Johnnies in ninth out of 80 runners, first among Division III competitors, with a time of 26:59. He led a seven-man contingent that crossed the finish line in ninth through 15th. Senior Sam Friesen (Excelsior, Minn./Minnetonka) followed close behind in 10th (27:02) and junior Keegan Conrad (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) finished 11th (27:05).