(WILMINGTON, Ohio) - The Wilmington Quakers Men's Cross Country Team claimed a fourth-place finish at the JennaStrong Fall Classic this evening. A cold, rainy day set the scene for a bittersweet occasion, as runners ran the current and longstanding fall classic course for the final time. The race saw many alumni return for one last run through the Wilmington College campus, all hoping to make one last ride in honor of the late Jenna Parlette.

As for current athletes, many of them ran at or near their personal bests despite abhorrent conditions. Sophomore Neka Bukasa led the way, clocking a time of 26:23 for 15th place. He was followed by senior Bryson Robinette, who ran a personal best of 27:24 and had by far his best career finish at the fall classic with 44th place. He was just ahead of junior Keegan Kidd, who ran a 30-second personal best of 27:33, finishing in 49th place and dominating his previous fall classic performances.

Kidd was just ahead of sophomore Braydon Buchannan, who finished 52nd with a time of 27:36, and sophomore Simeon Williamson, who took 57th place with a time of 27:40.

Freshman Samuel Quackenbush narrowly missed a personal best with a time of 28:16, claiming 78th place for the Quakers. Concluding the scoring for the green-and-white was freshman Jake Vance, who ran a time of 29:36 for 117th place.

All told, it was an excellent day for the Quakers, as they showed incredible grit and toughness in the face of dreadful conditions and stiff competition.
 
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They'll have a much needed week of rest before their postseason push begins on Halloween with the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships, hosted by Baldwin Wallace University.