(LEBANON, Ill., September 5)—The McKendree University men's cross country team opened its 2014 season with a third-place finish Friday evening at the Stegemoller Classic, which was hosted by the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Ind.
 
The Bearcats had three runners finish in the top 20 of the six-kilometer race under sunny and humid conditions. Freshman Ben Richter made an impressive debut for McKendree, leading the squad by placing ninth in the field with a time of 18:44.6. Another freshman, Will McLemore, was close behind in 12^th place with an effort of 19:24.3, while sophomore Moses Randich (Eldoret, Kenya/Chebiemit) rounded out the list of top-20 finishers for the Bearcats in 17^th place. Randich crossed the finish line in a final time of 20:06.6.
 
Host Southern Indiana swept the top five spots in the final individual standings to roll to the team title, while Maryville University earned a runner-up finish in the Stegemoller Classic.
 
McKendree will return to action next Friday, Sept. 12, at the SIUE Cross Country Challenge in Edwardsville, Ill.