SHELBYVILLE, IND. -- The Trine University men's cross country team took four of the top-five individual spots en route to placing as the top overall team at the Manchester University Invitational held at the Blue River CC Course in Shelbyville, Ind.
"The men really ran well," said Head Coach Zach Raber. "It was very hot today, but we ran with confidence and composure. We had a very specific race plan today and they executed well."
The Thunder captured second through fifth places individually with a pair of sophomores finished second and third in Jack Beakas (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb) and Derek Miller (Shipshewana, Ind./Westview). Beakas was the runner-up after completing the 8K race in a time of 27:16.3. Miller followed in third place with a mark of 27:26.9.
Seniors Jonathan Phillips (Royal Center, Ind./Pioneer) and Nicholas Zak (St. John, Ind./Hanover Central) placed fourth and fifth with times of 27:41.4 and 27:48.4, respectively.
"Jonathan, Jack and Derek ran well together the entire race" stated Raber. "Nick and Vilis ran tough the last few miles to seal the win."
Also finishing in the top-10 was junior Villis Vuskalns (Indianapolis, Ind./Beech Grove) who posted a time of 28:11.3 which was good enough for eighth place.
Sophomore Harrison Korkos (Rochester, Ind./Rochester) crossed the finish line in 28:25.7 to place 14th overall, while fellow sophomores Alexander Amaro (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) and Neil O'Brien (Whiteland, Ind./Roncalli) finished in 16th and 19th place with marks of 28:33.0 and 28:56.7.
"I was also very impressed with Harrison Korkos and Alex Amaro for earning their first varsity stripes today," added Raber.
Trine had two final runners compete in the race in sophomores Levi Neuzerling (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) and Noah Acker (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble). Neuzerling recorded a time of 29:18.9 and Acker posted a time of 30:13.2.
The Thunder are scheduled to compete at the Midwest Intercollegiate Championships hosted by Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. The men's race is scheduled to begin at 6:45 EST on Friday, Sept. 28.
