MAPLEWOOD, Minn. - The University of Northwestern Men's Cross Country team opened the 2025 season with a commanding performance at the Battle Creek Triangular on Friday, earning the top spot as a team over North Central University and Oak Hills Bible College.

Tyler Dueber (Bloomington, Minn./Homeschool), in his first collegiate cross country meet, led the way, crossing first in 18:18 to claim the individual win. Owen Van De Riet (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) followed in 3rd place with a time of 19:27, and freshman Caleb Phillips (Poplar, Wis./South Shore) stopped the clock at 19:42 in 4th place, giving the Eagles a strong front pack. Samuel Otis (Shoreview, Minn./Homeschool) added a 5th-place finish at 19:54, and Peter Kephart (Lake Nebagamon, Wis./Northwestern) rounded out the scoring five in 6th, clocking a time of 20:03, helping Northwestern secure the team victory.

The Eagles' depth and consistency across the hilly Battle Creek Regional Park course made the difference, with all five scorers inside the top seven to lead the way.

Northwestern will return to action on Friday, September 5, starting at 6:45 PM at the Toni St. Pierre Invitational, hosted by Saint John's University at River Oaks Golf Course in Cold Spring, Minn.