GREENVILLE, S.C. – Paced by freshman Ben Clark's 22nd-place finish, the Anderson men's cross country team finished fourth at the fifth annual Furman Cross Country Classic, which was hosted by the Paladins on the Furman Golf Course.
Competing on the 8K course in a field of 14 collegiate teams, including 10 NCAA Division II squads, the Trojans trailed just Mount Olive, Lee and Emory, while besting Columbus State, Mars Hill, Auburn-Montgomery, North Greenville and Limestone.
"The men took it out conservatively," said Anderson head coach Kevin Eagle. "We relied heavily on the freshmen. This course is just tough but we learned from our mistakes last week. We had our goals and definitely wanted to pick off [defending conference champion] Mars Hill, which was big. "
With his 22nd-place finish, Clark posted a time of 25:36.70, while freshman Joey Teachout placed 33rd in a time of 26:03.10. Freshman Cameron Owens-Hunter was 44th in a time of 26:36.90, with freshman Weston Hutto crossing the finish line in 66th place in a time of 26:58.70.
Freshman Phillip Quillen (27:05.70) was 72nd, while sophomore Luke Horne posted a career-best time of 27:21.10 and finished 81st. Freshman Ian Yates (28:09.10) was 109th, with John Drummond notching a career-best time of 28:10.30 and crossing the line in 110th place.
Freshman Hayden Tuten (28:48.30) finished 129th, while freshman David Rolon (29:01.90) was 133rd. Freshman Riley Dixon finished 142nd in a time of 29:44.40, with freshman Cameron Matthews finishing 160th after posting a time of 31:21.80.
Following a three-week layoff the Trojans will get back on the course, Saturday, Sept. 30 at the USC Upstate Invitational.
