RESULTS

MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Lee University men's cross country team placed three runners among the top ten runners on their way to claiming its third consecutive NCAA Division II South Region Championship Saturday morning at the Montevallo Cross Country Course. The Flames have now won five region titles overall.

The Flames recorded 45 points and finished 41 points ahead of runner-up Florida Southern (86). Mississippi College was third with 90 points. The three teams earned the South Region's three automatic berths to the DII National Championships in Joplin, Missouri on November 18.

Jan Lukas Becker of Mississippi College was the individual champion. He finished the 9800 meter course in 29:21.30. Matthew Fowler was Lee's top finisher with a fourth-place time of 30:04.60.

Stephen Clark and Jacob Hatcher were eighth and ninth, respectively. Clark posted a time of 30:37.00, while Hatcher stopped the clock at 30:41.50. Ezekiel Harless placed fourth overall at 30:46.50 and Roberto Fajardo closed out Lee's scoring at 30:51.90 (13^th).

Caleb Guthery and Owen Pearce were Lee's spacers. Guthery finished in 18^th (31:00.00) and Pearce was 24^th with a time of 31:14.30.
 

Coach Caleb Morgan's Thoughts:
"Our men ran smart, we eased into the race. We looked very strong finishing. We had big days out of Stephen and Jacob. We knew they were capable of those types of performances." 

"We sat out our No. 2 runner Aaron Himes to get in a good block of training. We are excited to have him back for nationals."

"We keep getting stronger every week. Excited to see what nationals holds."