University of Regina cross country runner Jonathan Podbielski opened the season with a win as the Cougars competed in the Dakota Classic on Saturday at Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

Podbielski finished the 8K course in a time of 26:19, beating the second-place finisher from Saskatchewan by about a second and a half.

Two other Cougars also placed in the event's top 10. Both running in their first meets in a University of Regina singlet, Brett MacLean finished in eighth place (27:34) while Ian Teichler finished in 10th (27:52). 

Vera Gauvin, who returns to the Cougars after two seasons away from the team, placed 11th in her first meet back with the team. Gauvin finished with an 8K time of 36:35.

Regina's top five was rounded out by Morgan Kilgour (17th, 28:16) and Kaelen Kolb (28th, 29:39) while both Mason Muchowski (32nd, 29:55) and Henry Sharp (36th, 30:19) also ran in their first meets as Cougars. Eric Dorey finished in 39th place (30:46).

The Cougars have one more tune-up meet before championship season starts. They'll run at the Stewart Cup on Oct. 12 in Calgary, then will compete at the Canada West meet (Oct. 26 in Camrose, Alta.) and the U SPORTS Championships (Nov. 9 in Kelowna, B.C.).