WESTFIELD, MA. – In a dazzling display of endurance on Saturday morning, the Wesleyan men's cross country team took first place at the James Earley Invitational as all 10 runners competing placed in the Top 50, none finishing lower than 30^th place. The James Earley Invitational was hosted by Westfield State University.

The Cardinals, finishing with 32 points, claimed first place out of 18 schools that made their way to the course for competition, with the Top 10 falling as such: Roger Williams (51), Williams (97), Springfield (131), Westfield State (138), Fitchburg State (194), Norwich (210), Conn. College (237), Western New England (281), and Nichols (300).

As the field of 187 crossed the finish line, Bruce Lenes '26 led the Cardinals with a third-place finish as he clocked in at 26:10.11 while averaging a 5:08 mile. Ben McKinney '27 came in just two spots behind in fifth place, coming in at 26:21.64 with an average mile time of 5:18. Three more Cardinals fell into the Top 10 as Rob D'Aquila '25 was next with an eighth-place finish at 26:27.64. In ninth, George Lepska '25 ran a final time of 26:29.53. And closing the top finishers, Philip Keith '25 placed 10^th with a time of 26:37.65.

Calder Burke '27 was close behind with a finish at 11^th as he crossed the line at 26:42.94. Easy Weissman '28 was the first of the competing freshman to finish with a placement at 18^th with a time of 27:08.27. Thomas Chun '28 placed 20^th to close the Top 20 at 27:16.06. Four spots back, Coleman Love '28 in 24^th finished at 27:36.77. Alex Lara '27 was the Cardinals' finishing touch on the morning as he placed 28^th, clocking in at 27:50.11.

The Cardinals return to action on Saturday, Oct. 19, when they travel to Conn. College for the Conn. College Invite.