Bolivar, Mo. – The SBU men's cross-country team opened the 2026 season Saturday morning on its home course at the SBU Bearcat XC Invite, taking 2nd place overall.
Sophomore Landon Jones led the way for the Bearcats, finishing fifth overall in the four-mile race with a time of 19:33.88. Freshman Ezra Derouchie followed closely behind in his collegiate debut, crossing the line in 10th place with a time of 19:40.34.
Senior Nathan Keck gave SBU its third runner inside the top 15, placing 13th overall in 19:45.25. Fellow seniors Kaleb Nail and Nolan Hansen finished back-to-back for the Bearcats, taking 17th and 18th with times of 20:02.93 and 20:04.37, respectively.
Senior Connor Goatley crossed the line in 31st with a time of 21:35.93, while sophomore Kaleb Hamilton rounded out the SBU competitors in 34th at 23:11.09.
The Bearcats had five runners finish among the top 18 overall, including three inside the top 13, as they began their 2026 campaign in Bolivar.
