BEREA, Ky. – In their first 8,000 meter run of the 2019 season, the Tigers were able to capture a third place finish at the Berea College Mike and Mary Kay Cross-Country Invitational.
 
In the midst of a humid morning on a difficult course, Sam Kiser was able to use an impressive sub 27-minute performance to finish in fifth overall. Kiser's time of 26:55 is only 11 seconds off of his season best time from last year.
 
Jacob Hamilton was the next Tiger in the chute as he racked off a 27:20 for a 7^thplace finish.
 
Following a disappointing result from the first meet of the season, Josiah Harp bounced back in his first 8K of the year picking up a personal best, finishing in 27:58. Harp's personal best performance was enough for 12^thplace.
 
Closely trailing Harp, Jiovanni Rivera, Camryn Snapp, and Brandon Cox developed a nice pack for finishes from 15^thto 18^th. Rivera led the charge narrowly missing breaking the 28-minute barrier with a 28:03. Snapp trailed Rivera by 15 seconds, but did not allow a competitor to sneak between them. 
 
Cox, in his first career 8K, tried to make it three straight finishes for the Tigers, but was outkicked by Spencer Harvey to finish with a time of 28:25, finishing 18^th.
 
Rounding out the scoring for the Tigers was Chris Stoeckel who was able to capitalize on a top 30 performance, finishing in 29:13.
 
Other Tigers that competed at Berea were Briley Shrewsberry (30:18) and Ian McAninch (31:57). Also making their debuts at the 8,000-meter distance, Shrewsberry and McAninch were able to place 41^stand 56^threspectively.
 
The Tigers used a 55-point team performance for finish third overall with an average team time of 27:43. The Tigers narrowly fell to Centre College as three points separated the two teams. The Colonels tallied 52 points. Berea was able to win the meet, scoring 37 points with an impressive 26:57 average.
 
The Tigers will have a three week break before returning to action on October 5th at the Greater Louisville Classic.