FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Men's Cross Country team toed the line at the Roy Griak Invitational on Friday, hosted by the University of Minnesota. Racing in the Jo Rider Men's Maroon Race, the Eagles competed against 20 Division II and Division III programs in their first 8K of the season.

The rain began falling as the gun went off and continued on and off throughout the five-mile course at Les Bolstad Golf Course. Caleb Phillips (Poplar, Wis./South Shore) led Northwestern with a strong finishing kick to place first for the Eagles with a time of 32:20.8. He was followed closely by Peter Kephart (Lake Nebagamon, Wis./Northwestern), who stopped the clock at 32:41.5. Owen Van De Riet (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) wasn't far behind Kephart, crossing the finish line at 32:47.7, while freshman Grayson Lecher (St. Paul, Minn./Concordia Academy) turned in a time of 33:31.9. Samuel Otis (Shoreview, Minn./Homeschool) rounded out the lineup finishing with at time of 35:07.4.

Northwestern will return to competition on Thursday, October 3, at the BluGold Invitational in Colfax, Wisconsin. The race is set to begin at 4:15 PM at Whitetail Golf Course.