Results
Grand Rapids, MI – The Patriots Men's cross country team took to the starting line at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge Saturday morning. They raced to an 18^th place overall finish out of the 28 scoring teams on the day, and were the first MSC finisher as well.
 
Noah McClellan was the first Patriot finisher in Michigan, running a 25:57.1 for 63^rd place. This is the first time the sophomore clocked in under 26 minutes and is over a 20 second PR. James Overholser was the next UC runner to cross the finish line, clocking a 26:04.8 for 77^th and his best performance as a Patriot.
 
A trio of Pats finished within three seconds of each other to round Cumberlands finishers. Kevin Mengich led this pack with a personal best time of 26:31.4, placing 112^th. Kyle Woodward finished four spots behind at 116^th after pacing his 8k in 26:32.6. Deshawn Crowe ran a 26:33.3 to finish just behind Woodward at 118^th.
 
AJ Barker and Dillan Melchiore were the sixth and seventh Patriot runners on Saturday. Barker ran a 28:32.8 while Melchiore clocked a 28:59.4. Clay Houge crossed the finish at 30:25.4 to round out UC's runners in the maroon race.
 
Cumberlands scored 463 points on the day for 18^th and was the top Mid-South finisher at this meet, beating Cumberland U, Lindsey Wilson, and Shawnee State who has won six straight MSC titles, and 11 of the last 12.This marks the first time the Patriots have beaten Shawnee on the cross country course since they became a member of the MSC. 
 
Coach Sowder was very proud of his guys saying "The men showed up and took care of business. They executed a race plan extremely well and the results showed that."
 
The Pats will return to the course on November 4^th where they will compete for the Mid-South Conference Championship in Bowling Green, KY.
 
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