Kankakee Times

The Olivet Nazarene University men’s cross country team took first place at a meet for the second time in a row recently.

The Tigers topped the team competition at the Brissman/Lundeen Classic Invite, led by Wesley Meyer, who finished in sth place with a time of 20:36.6 in the 8K against more than 200 runners. 

Meyer was the Tigers' highest finisher for the second week in a row after a third-place finish at the Midwest Classic. Zachary Hulliberger was the second-highest finisher for ONU, taking 16th place, while Matt Meehan finished one spot later. Zach Bishop rounded out the field for the Tigers, finishing in 31st place.

 Meyer was named Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference runner of the week. The sophomore has been one of ONU’s top performers this season and is in good form going into October.

Cornerstone University took second place at the meet, and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point rounded out the top three. Lawrence University’s Josh Janusiak won the individual title with a time of 20:19.3.

After two weeks of races, the Tigers are ranked 12th in the NAIA Coaches Poll and are in second place in the CCAC, behind the University of St. Francis. 

Head coach Mike McDowell told the Kankakee Times that he is pleased with the start of the men’s season.

“We have a solid men’s team,” McDowell said. “I expected to win the first meet; we were the best team there. Going forward in the season, I think the team can do some good things this year.”

The ONU women’s team also competed at the Brissman/Lundeen Invitational and finished in seventh place. Alexa Beezhold was the top finisher for ONU, at 10th place with a time of 19:42.2 in the 5K. Karalynn Brock was next, taking 25th place, and Angela Budach and Betty Taxer finished in 46th and 47th place, respectively. Hailey Widder finished in 53rd place, rounding out the top five for ONU.

Benedictine University’s Emma Roberts took first place in the individual race with a time of 18:51.3

Beezhold is enjoying a good took second place at the opening meet of the year.

Despite two top-10 finishes, the women’s team isn’t nationally ranked, but McDowell said he hopes that will soon change.

“The women aren’t ranked yet,” he said. “But we have some really good young runners, and I’m hoping we will be able to crack the rankings.”

ONU’s men’s and women’s cross-country teams will be in action throughout Octobee, with the CCAC Championships scheduled for Nov. 4 in Elgin. The NAIA National Championships will start on Nov. 18 in Vancouver, Washington. 

For more information on the cross-country season and see the full list of results, visit www.onutigers.com.