SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Led senior Ty Gleason's second-place, the Anderson University men's cross country team opened the season with a first-place finish at the Converse Kickoff Classic, which was hosted by the Valkyries, Friday evening on the Milliken Research Center course.
"The men ran a very tactical race and ran as a pack for much of it," said Anderson head coach Kevin Eagle. "Early season meets are always interesting to see what type of fitness the team is in. Based on summer mileage, the season looks to be very promising and exciting."
Gleason paced the Black and Gold in a time of 16:10.32 over the 5k course, while another newcomer, freshman Daniel Similton finished third in a time of 16:22.89. Freshman Michael Burgess (16:28.41) claimed fourth place, with sophomore Noah McLain (16:32.46) taking home fifth place.
Junior Ben Clark finished in sixth place in a time of 16:47.46, with freshman Noah Brock crossing the finish line in seventh place in a time of 16:54.25. Juniors Phillip Quillen (16:56.77) and Joey Teachout (16:57.83) were eighth and ninth, respectively, while junior Matthew Burgess was 11th in a time of 17:05.39. Sophomore Thomas Sutcliffe claimed 12th place in a time of 17:07.57 and junior Cameron Owens-Hunter finished 29th in a time of 17:47.96.
Anderson will get back on the course next Saturday at Florida's Mountain Dew Invitational.
