Men's Cross Country Report (Week 1) - Franklin Claims Title at Grizzly Invitational

GREENWOOD, IN- The Franklin College men's cross country team started the 2010 season in style by claiming first place at the Sodexho Grizzly Invitational at Johnson County Horse Park on September 4. The Franklin runners totaled 28 points to earn their fifth straight team title in the event, holding off second place Spalding by 21 points in the team standings.

Franklin's Kevin Martin (Mitchell, Ind./H.S.) won an event for the first time in his collegiate career, finishing the 8K course in a career-best time of 26:09.13.  Senior Jake Hojnacki (LaPorte, Ind./H.S.) placed second (26:20.43) and freshman Kris Sandlin (Scottsburg, Ind./H.S.) earned a third place finish (26:24.59) to help pace the Grizzlies.

Hanover and Earlham also ran at the Grizzly Invite Saturday morning.  The Panthers placed fourth overall, while the Quakers finished seventh among the seven competing schools. 

Earlham's Jacob Naegeli (Trout Creek, Mon./Thompson Falls) placed fourth overall with a time of 26:29.53 to lead the effort for the Quakers.  Brendan Kelly (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) was the top finisher for Hanover, placing 19th overall (28:19.00)

Rose-Hulman and Anderson spent the weekend competing at the Wabash Hokum Karem.  The Engineers finished fifth place out of six teams with a score of 36, while the Ravens placed sixth with a score of 40. 

The Rose-Hulman tandem of Micah Aldrich (Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central) and Tyler Kreipke (Zionsville, Ind./H.S.) led all HCAC competitors with a fifth place finish (29:11).

This weekend's schedule is highlighted by the Defiance and Hanover Invitational.  Bluffton and Defiance will compete at Defiance, while Hanover and Franklin will battle in southern Indiana.

In other action, Manchester will travel to Bowling Green and Mount St. Joseph and Transylvania compete at the Queen City Invitational.