CLINTON, Pa. — The West Liberty University men's cross country team placed 16th in a field of 23 teams Saturday at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational, posting 414 points in the 8K race at the Youthtown XC Course.

The Hilltoppers finished with a top-five team time of 2:16:54, an average time of 27:23 and a team spread of 2:02.

Lance Busse paced West Liberty, finishing 55th overall with a time of 26:12.3. Michael Niggemyer followed in 97th at 27:05.2, while Shepherd Richey placed 115th in 27:36.2.

Finlay Lorimer crossed the line in 125th at 27:46.4, and Zachary Workman rounded out the Hilltoppers' scoring five in 143rd with a time of 28:13.9.

West Liberty's sixth and seventh runners were James Erlandson, who finished 165th in 28:34.5, and Hadden Garvin, who placed 182nd in 29:08.3. Seth Krocker also competed for the Hilltoppers, finishing 212th in 31:04.4.

Ashland captured the team championship with 71 points, edging Carnegie Mellon (76) and Walsh (93). Northwood finished fourth with 95 points, followed by Point Park (178), Roberts Wesleyan (188), Davis & Elkins (194), Slippery Rock (216), Geneva (279) and St. Francis (Ind.) (289) to round out the top 10.

West Liberty finished ahead of Duquesne (459), Ursuline (460), California (Pa.) (546), Edinboro (593), Lake Erie (643), Seton Hill (645) and Wheeling (721).

CMU Alumni's Ryan Podnar won the individual race in 24:28.9, while Ashland placed three runners among the top six overall.

The Carnegie Mellon Invitational was another opportunity for the Hilltoppers to test themselves against a large and competitive field as they continue their preparation for the championship portion of the season.

West Liberty will return to action Oct. 24 at the Lock Haven Invitational before turning its attention to the Mountain East Conference Championship on Nov. 7.


West Liberty Results

Place	Runner	Time
55th	Lance Busse	26:12.3
97th	Michael Niggemyer	27:05.2
115th	Shepherd Richey	27:36.2
125th	Finlay Lorimer	27:46.4
143rd	Zachary Workman	28:13.9
165th	James Erlandson	28:34.5
182nd	Hadden Garvin	29:08.3
212th	Seth Krocker	31:04.4

West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.