SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Following individual title victories in their respective season-opening races, South Dakota State’s Ben Olson and North Dakota State’s Allie Wahlund picked up TicketSmarter Summit League Cross Country Peak Performer of the Week honors. Olson collected the award on the men’s side while Wahlund picked up the women's accolade, league officials released Tuesday.
 
Olson was the first to cross the finish line in a field of 323 athletes at the Augustana Twilight. He finished the four-mile race in a time of 19:08.21 to win the event and help secure the team title for South Dakota State.
 
Wahlund paced the Bison at the Ron Pynn Classic, claiming the individual title. She clocked a personal-best time of 17:29.5 in the 5K race, the sixth-fastest 5K time in NDSU cross country history.
 
Ben Olson, South Dakota State
Sr | Coon Rapids, Minn.

• Collected his second career weekly honor
• Won the four-mile race at the Augustana Twilight in a personal-best time of 19:08.3
• Helped secure the team title for the Jackrabbit men

Also nominated: Merga Gemeda (South Dakota), Erik Flores Burciaga (Oral Roberts), Symon Keiser (North Dakota State), Colton Halla (St. Thomas), Patrick Kipkemboi (North Dakota), Logan Lommel (Western Illinois), Caleb Feuerbacher (Kansas City)
 
Allie Wahlund, North Dakota State
So | Minot, N.D.

• Earned her first career weekly accolade
• Won the Ron Pynn Classic individual crown and helped claim the team title
• Clocked a personal-best 5K time of 17:29.5 to win the season-opening race

Also nominated: Abby Ripperda (South Dakota), Leah Hansen (South Dakota State), Avery Mazzei (Oral Roberts), Jadyn Keeler (North Dakota), Paulina Wuestefeld (Western Illinois), Katherine Hanners (Kansas City)
 
2022 Cross Country Peak Performers of the Week
Sept. 6
M: Ben Olson, South Dakota State
W: Allie Wahlund, North Dakota State