(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 2)—The McKendree University men's track and field team took part in the Indianapolis Challenge, which was hosted Friday and Saturday by the University of Indianapolis.
 
In all, the Bearcats racked up a total of nine top-five finishes at the meet, four of which came in sprint events. Juniors Donovan Friscia (Jacksonville, FL/Bartram Trail) and Cameron James (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) each posted a pair of top-five showings in the meet. Friscia placed second in both the 60-meter dash at 6.94 seconds and the 200-meter dash at 22.86 seconds. James grabbed fourth place in both races, as he was timed at 7.03 seconds in the 60-meter dash and 22.97 seconds in the 200-meter dash.
 
Freshman Christopher Jackson (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) brought home fifth place in the 800-meter run as he was clocked in a time of 2:00.47. Freshman Benjamin Richter (Troy, IL/Triad) claimed fifth in the 5,000-meter run. Richter crossed the finish line in 16:14.90. McKendree also had one top-five effort in field events as freshman Ryan Pearce (Villa Grove, IL/Villa Grove) was second in the shot put with a toss of 15 meters.
 
McKendree also finished strong in a pair of relay events. The Bearcats were second in the 4 x 400-meter relay with a time of 2:29.18 while taking third in the 4 x 800-meter relay at 9:08.65.
 
The Bearcats will return to action Saturday at the ONU Invitational, which will be hosted by Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill.