Cross-country runners suspended after exchanging mid-race punches

In most instances runners will escape cross-country races with nothing more than a few scrapes and a pair of muddy shoes. Not at the Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship in Kenosha, Wis. on Saturday.

According to an eyewitness report on Flotrack, Truman State University’s Nick Terreri and Indianapolis athlete Joel Keller exchanged blows after Terreri shoved Keller just 200 metres into the race. Keller grabbed at Terreri’s bib and the two preceded to throw a few punches.

Keller’s teammate Kameron Casey tried to act as the mediator, but instead got punched by Terreri as well. Despite the tussle, all three managed to finish the race but Terreri and Keller were justifiably disqualified. Casey finished 17th overall along with a black eye.

The Great Lakes Valley Conference announced on Monday that both Terreri and Keller would be suspended for the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional on Nov. 7 in Evansville, Ind.

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