ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - More than 450 runners and 34 teams took part in the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational hosted by Augustana College Friday.  The Goshen College men's cross country team placed eighth in a loaded field, tallying 300 points despite being slightly shorthanded.  

Nationally ranked teams from the NAIA and NCAA were on hand, running the 8k course at Saukie Golf Course, including the host and champion, NCAA DIII #13 Augustana.

"The men's team performed well without the services of Daniel Zelaya who with an injury from a traffic accident," head coach Doug Yoder said.  "Most of the teams were division two.  We were second among NAIA schools behind #23 Olivet Nazarene.  Billy (Funk) and Moses (Kaelo) had outstanding races."

Billy Funk crossed the line first for Goshen for the second-straight race, finishing 17th overall in 26:00.02, while Moses Kaelo clocked in at 26:47.4.  The first five Maple Leaf finishers were all within 1:16 of each other, with the top seven separated by just over two minutes.

"This was probably the largest race we have been involved in since I have been coaching at Goshen College," Yoder added.

The solid finish in an elite national field continues to be a good sign for Goshen's future, which received votes in the last two NAIA national polls.  They will be back in action when they travel to the Benedictine Eagle Invitational on October 5.

COMPLETE RESULTS
8. Goshen - 300 points

INDIVIDUAL FINISHER'S
17. Billy Funk - 26:00.2
55. Moses Kaelo - 26:47.4
72.  Alejandro Rodriguez - 27:09.0
77. Jacob Gunderkline - 27:11.6
79. Brock Gunderkline - 27:16.5
103. Jordan Smeltzer - 27:42.9
118. Tim Lehman - 28:01.8
Andrew Witkowski - 29:08.3
Abe Stucky - 29:41.0
Tijs Buskermolen - 29:43.3