BOLIVAR, Mo. – Drury cross country opened its season at the Bearcat Invite Saturday morning, as the men's and women's programs each finished third.
 
The Bearcat Invite opened with the men's 6K race. Freshman Jayden Brookins led the Panthers, placing fourth with a time of 19:08.53. Newcomers Bowen Nelson and Samuel Earnest followed behind in 11th and 14th. Overall, the men totaled 54 points, finishing one point behind Southwest Baptist. Missouri Southern won the event with 26 points.
 
The women's 5K followed the men. In her first cross country race for Drury, Rachel Omoruyi finished second with a time of 18:21.18.  Sophomores Kate Hull and Josephine Rathsam followed in 14th and 17th place. Drury's top five finishers combined for 63 points, finishing third. Southwest Baptist won the race with 22 points, and Missouri Southern finished second with 47 points.
 
Tion McLeish, unattached, was the men's individual champion with a time of 18:28.84. In the women's race, Southwest Baptist's Natalie Gerdes claimed the top spot with a time of 18:15.68.
 
Several returning members of the men's and women's programs did not race in the season opener.
 
UP NEXT
Drury cross country returns to Springfield for the Queen City After Dark on Friday, Sept. 11.
 
DRURY RESULTS
MEN'S 6K RESULTS
4. Jayden Brookins — 19:08.53
11. Bowen Nelson — 19:43.39
14. Samuel Earnest — 19:45.46
15. Tanner Clippard — 19:51.69
20. Chase Davis — 20:08.22
21. Brayden Cunningham — 20:11.58
23. Barrett Jarvis — 20:22.59
28. Tradjun Moss — 21:04.64

WOMEN'S 5K RESULTS
2. Rachel Omoruyi — 18:21.18
14. Kate Hull — 20:14.80
17. Josephine Rathsam — 20:32.14
18. Ella Hayter — 20:35.57
20. Ashley Sexton — 20:41.11
25. Varga Dominika — 20:54.51
27. Philippa Lehr — 21:30.93
29. Audrey Fletcher — 21:41.38

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