The JCU men’s cross country team made history the past couple of weeks of their 2019 campaign. After earning a second-place finish at the Knight Invitational on Sept. 7, the Blue Streaks became the No. 24 ranked team in the nation, as voted by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Last week, the men went up one spot to No. 23 after having an off week from racing. At the All-Ohio Championships this past weekend, the men earned a fourth-place finish in the Division III standings, placing them No. 14 overall in the 8,000-meter race. 

“I feel, as a whole, we are at a good point heading into October and the second half of the season,” head coach Kyle Basista told The Carroll News. “We don’t have a lot of data points in terms of results with limited races. However, the guys have been training very hard and most importantly, have a great team dynamic.” 

The men seek to keep their confidence rolling when they head down to Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Kentucky. There, they will compete in the Pre-Nationals Invitational. 

Junior Jamie Dailey, sophomore Ian Pierson and freshman Alex Phillip lead the charge, as sophomores Jared Arnold and Pat White round out the top five. 

“Pre-Nationals is a good barometer for where our team stands at this point of the season,” Basista said. “It will be a good check point for us on where we are among some of the best in the country, and what we need to do moving forward. We want to be competitive and have a greater purpose of running for each other.” 

Pre-Nationals take place on Saturday, Oct 5. Following this race, the Blue and Gold will head to Oberlin College on Oct. 19. 

Then, the Blue Streaks will compete in the coveted Ohio Athletic Confrence Championships in the following week.