Final Results (.pdf)

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Junior Ben Savage put up a strong first 8K of the 2019 men's cross country season on Saturday (Sept. 21) to lead a deep Jaguars squad at the John McNichols Invitational at LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course. Savage led the Jaguars to the finish line in a time of 25:20.9 to place 41st of 268 runners while the Jaguars placed eighth of 11 teams with 285 points. 

"I think we're still kind of trying to figure out exactly what we've got and who's going to be there in the end," head coach Chuck Koeppen said. "For this being our first 8K, I thought it was a pretty good run for us. We've got some guys like Savage and Ratkovich and Hoffy who are just really solid and we expect to be up there. Then you add in a freshman like Kaiser and some other guys like Rhed and Starnes and Everetts and you've got quite a few guys who can help us. 

"We've still got some work to do, but we're getting better each and every day."

Savage was easily the team's top finisher while sophomore Alex Ratkovich checked in in 58th place at 25:41.0. Freshman Nate Kaiser was next in line at 25:52.8 and Eric Hoffman logged a time of 26:02.4. Lucas Rhed rounded out the scoring five at 26:35.3, just two places ahead of Dustin Starnes at 26:36.9. Josh Everetts and Brennan Butche capped the Jaguars' top seven at 26:45.1 and 26:47.9, respectively. 

"It was not a bad race for us," Savage said. "I think there's still work to be done, but we're going in the right direction. I'm excited to see us race the next couple weekends."

All total, five different Jaguars notched personal best times as Kaiser, Butche, Josh Whitaker (26:59.6), Austin Ohm (27:23.3) and Josh Campbell (27:29.2) all posted collegiate bests. 

The Jags will return to action on Oct. 5 when they compete in the Louisville Sports Commission Cross Country Classic at Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville, Ky. 

Team Standings
1. Northern Arizona - 31
2. Stanford - 51
3. Iowa State - 66
4. Purdue - 70
5. Indiana - 165
6. Eastern Michigan - 196
7. Illinois - 211
8. IUPUI - 285
9. Eastern Illinois - 289
10. Central Arkansas - 313
11. Indiana Wesleyan - 315
12. Valparaiso - 327
13. Indiana State - 327
14. Northern Colorado - 348
15. North Alabama - 450
16. DePauw - 486
17. Rose-Hulman - 516
18. Wabash - 529
19. Hanover - 622
20. Franklin - 624
21. Transylvania - 639

Individual Results
41. Ben Savage - 25:20.9
58. Alex Ratkovich - 25:41.0
67. Nate Kaiser - 25:52.8
73. Eric Hoffman - 26:02.4
101. Lucas Rhed - 26:35.3
103. Dustin Starnes - 26:36.9
112. Josh Everetts - 26:45.1
114. Brennan Butche - 26:47.9
125. Josh Whitaker - 26:59.6
143. Jarit Perkins - 27:21.7
147. Austin Ohm - 27:23.3
150. Josh Campbell - 27:29.2
159. Jake McCullough - 27:40.7
167. Dakota Merkel - 27:52.4
170. Brooks Long - 27:53.5
206. Roman Jennings - 28:55.8
217. Noah Kramer - 29:24.5