West Lafayette, IN — Going up against the best the state of Indiana has to offer, the Goshen College men’s cross country team finished 18th overall at the 23-team Indiana Intercollegiate Championships at Purdue University Friday afternoon.

In a meet showcasing state schools ranging from the NCAA Division I to junior college levels, Goshen finished just off its 2006 result, claiming 12th place in the “Little State” division, or non-NCAA Division I results. Last season, Goshen finished 11th in the smaller school rankings and 17th overall (click here for article).

“Our men’s team ran a solid race here today,” said Doug Yoder, Goshen head coach. “Our gap between our number one and three runners was only 25 seconds. That gap is narrowing further down the line as well. We are beginning to develop a great pack which is what scores well in big meets.”

Sophomore Ben Bouwman led that effort, taking 38th place in the Little State division and 70th place overall in a time of 26:56.25. Junior David Rumsey (86th overall, 27:20.07) and senior Jake Gillette (88th overall, 27:21.24) were just off that clip, as was senior Nick Adkins, who carded a season-best time of 27:21.24 in finishing 132nd overall.

“Ben Bowman, Jake Gillette, David Rumsey and Nick Adkins all ran very good races,” Yoder said. “They were not intimidated by the big school atmosphere and ran their races with confidence. There were many personal-best and season-best times throughout the men’s team.”

Sophomore Dietrich Eitzen was Goshen’s final scoring runner, finishing 150th overall in a time of 29:09.24. Goshen finished with 483 total points on the afternoon, defeating Manchester College (529), Earlham College (539), Vincennes University (621), Grace College (689) and Oakland City University (760).

Indiana University’s Kyle Jordan took individualist honors with a race-leading time of 24:39.34. Indiana State University, meanwhile, captured the team title with 47 points. The University of Southern Indiana won the small school division title, garnering just 55 points (USI was fourth in the composite standings). For a complete look at individual and team finishes — including small school breakdowns — click here.

Goshen will return to intercollegiate competition a week from Saturday, when the team will travel to Cedarville University for the First Cedarville University Open. Meet time for the men’s event is slated for 10:45 a.m.

Goshen Individual Results
(Small School/Composite School Divisional Finishes)
Ben Bouwman (38th/70th) — 26:56.25
David Rumsey (50th/86th) — 27:20.07
Jake Gillette (52nd/88th) — 27:21.24
Nick Adkins (85th/132nd) — 28:24.74
Deitrich Eitzen (102nd/150th) — 29.09.24
John Tamirat (103rd/151st) — 29:18.94
Randy Keener (114th/162nd) — 29:51.50
Max Wyse (122nd/170th) — 30:20.64