KETTERING, Ohio - The IUPUI men's and women's cross country teams opened their seasons at the Dayton Flyer 5K Challenge on Saturday. The men's squad finished fifth overall while the women placed sixth.

Sophomore Brad Wheeler (Franklin, Ind./Franklin) took the individual tape for the Jags, covering the 5K course at Indian Riffle Park in a time of 16:00. He finished 12th overall of 82 total runners.

Senior Dean Meacham (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) finished 29th overall in a time of 16:22, while junior Brandon Cole (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) placed 44th in a time of 16:41. Meacham was among IUPUI's top five just one time last season and bettered his time from 2004 by 52 seconds.

Freshmen Jesse Cacy (Frankfort, Ind./Clinton Prairie) and John Purdy (Avon, Ind./Avon) rounded out IUPUI's top five, finishing 54th and 60th overall.

Miami's Chris Swisher took the individual title in a time of 15:33, while the Redhawks coasted to the team title with just 25 points.

On the women's side, sophomore Amanda Shike (Munster, Ind./Munster) led IUPUI to the finish line in a time of 20:06, finishing 23rd overall. Fellow sophomore Lindsy Walsh (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) finished 25th, six seconds behind her teammate.

First-year runner Kendall Diveley (Westfield, Ind./Westfield) gave a solid showing in her IUPUI debut, posting a 20:46 5K time and finishing 35th overall. Freshman Rachel Poremski (West Lafayette, Ind./West Lafayette) and sophomore Jenny Braun (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina) filled out the Jaguars scoring five.

Karen Berling from the University of Cincinnati was the only runner to break 19 minutes, finishing in a time of 18:58. The Bearcats edged Dayton for the women's team title, 39-46.

The Jaguars return to action on next Friday when they take part in the Valparaiso Invitational. That meet is slated to start at 4:45 pm.