As the sun began to rise with temperatures in the low 70's the Friends University Cross Country Invitational kicked off at a new venue this year. The Cessna Activities Center in Wichita, KS where several Cross Country races are held each fall was the site of the Friends University / Wild Wind Invitational on Saturday, September 07, 2013.

The men's 8K race began at 7:30 a.m. with approximately 63 runners. The Spires of the University of St. Mary put on a solid performance as four of their runners finished in the top ten. Brooks Ballou, a senior on the Spire squad completed the course in 26:08 for a first place finish.

Friends University runners Brock Nooney and Peyton Wade finished 9^th and 12th respectively. Nooney completed the race in 27:38 while teammate Wade crossed the finish line with a time of 27:46.

The Falcons followed up with Andrew Means (28:52); Brooks Rummery (28.54); Mitch Heller (29:48) and Jordan Umscheid (33.12).

As a team Friends University finished in fourth place behind the University of St. Mary, Newman University and Southwestern College.

Shortly after the conclusion of the men's race the collegiate women lined up at the starting line for their 5K run.

Senior Rachel Renken, who Friends University will rely upon to lead the squad this year finished 7^th among the 55 timed runners. Renken's time of 20:20 paced the Falcons team. Connie Collins followed with a time of 21:09 to finish 14^th while Ellie Newlin (22:09); Natasha Burley (22:11); and Maggie Newlin (24:33) completed the team effort.

The race was won by Rubi Torres of Newman University in a time of: 19:20.

As a team Friends University finished third overall.

For complete race results: http://ozendurance.net/race-results/2013-friends-cross-country-invitational/

The Falcon distance runners will now prepare for the Missouri Southern Invitational in Joplin, MO on Saturday, September 21.