SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Goshen College men's cross country team continued its season at the Bethel College Invitational at St. Patrick's Park in South Bend Friday night.
The Maple Leafs tallied just 87 points to finish fourth finishing behind three programs which appeared in the latest NAIA national poll. With just three weeks until the Crossroads League Championships, the best sign for the Maple Leafs was that they finished in front of all three league teams in the event, including #19 Indiana Wesleyan.
"The men's team wasn't quite where we thought we could be, but still performed well," head coach Doug Yoder explained. "Times were a bit slower than last week, but the course is also a slower course."
Sophomore Moses Kaelo clocked the fastest time for Goshen, finishing 13th in 26:05.0. The Leafs also took the 14th (Billy Funk), 15th (Daniel Zelaya), and 16th (Jordan Smeltzer) spots in the race.
"Moses continues to improve and is still learning how to race," Yoder added. "He ran a much more even race and was able to finish strong at the end. We had a pack of our top four runners within 19 seconds of each other which is great to see. We were without the services of Jacob Gunderkline who has been out consistent number five runner, which could of made the difference between fourth and second."
A trio of underclassmen rounded out the top seven for Goshen with freshman Lucas Harnish finishing 29th (27:07), Alejandro Rodriguez 37th (27:37.3) and Tim Lehman 42nd (27:50.1).
Goshen will be back in action when they participate in the Great Lake Challenge in Grand Rapids on October 20.
4. GOSHEN MEN - 87 points
MEN'S FINISHER'S
13. Moses Kaelo - 26:05.0
14. Billy Funk - 26:09.7
15. Daniel Zelaya - 26:19.6
16. Jordan Smeltzer - 26:24.7
29. Lucas Harnish - 27:07.0
37. Alejandro Rodriguez - 27:37.3
42. Tim Lehman - 27:50.1
Andrew Witkowski - 27:55.9
Brock Gunderkline - 28:19.3
Tijs Buskermolen - 28:21.8
Abe Stucky - 30:15.4
Kolton Nay - 30:49.0
Nick Handrich - 32:43.2
Mitchell Brickson - 32:46.9
Juan Carlos Diaz - 32:55.9
Garrett Ahlgrim - 36:59.6
Quinn Brenneke - 37:15.2
Barrett Donna - 40:14.7
