(CEDARVILLE, Ohio) - The Quakers men's cross-country team faced their first 8k of the season Friday night at Cedarville University. They navigated their way through a crowded field for a 15th place team finish, which was eighth among Division III institutions, an admirable day for a young squad that was without one of its top contributors in junior Keegan Kidd, who was unable to participate due to sickness.

For the third straight meet, Sophomore Neka Bukasa led the Quakers over the line, concluding his first career 8-kilometer race in a time of 27:12, taking 95th place. Backing up Bukasa was sophomore Braydon Buchanan, who took 127th place in a career best time of 27:31, a nearly thirty-second drop from his previous career best.

Rounding out the Quakers trio of star sophomores was Simeon Williamson, who placed 174th with a time of 28:00. The Quakers fourth man was senior Bryson Robinette, who took 219th place with a time of 28:32, the second-best 8k time of his career and by far his best-ever 8k opener, taking nearly a full minute off of his time from last season's All-Ohio race.

Freshman Samuel Quackenbush was the Quakers fifth runner, finishing in a time of 29:58 for 295th place, a more than admirable finish in his first career 8k run. Fellow freshman Jacob Vance found himself afflicted with stomach troubles, but battled through for a finish of 30:56 for 332nd place. The seventh Quaker to cross the line was sophomore Cameron Adkins, who put a time of 31:49 for 347th place.

What's Up Next

After Friday's hard-fought battle, the Quakers will have a well-deserved weekend off before returning to the course on October 3rd at the Louisville Cross-Country Classic, where they will look to build on their successes at All-Ohio.