MILL SPRING, N.C. – The Lander men's cross country team placed ninth at the Tryon Western NC XC Showcase on Friday evening, finishing with 246 points at the Tryon International XC Course.

Noah Chevalier made his 2026 season debut by leading the Bearcats across the finish line, placing 46th in the 8K with a time of 27:26.0. Noah Larkin followed in 51st at 27:37.6, while Jayden Metzler finished 54th in 27:47.7.

Jonathan Cummings placed 67th in 28:13.7, with Griffin Freeman finishing 68th at 28:22.6 to complete Lander's scoring five.

Ronin Kruse placed 69th in 28:22.7, followed by Seth Hammon in 70th at 28:24.2. Adam Bedenbaugh finished 78th in 28:52.1, while Benjamin Carroll placed 80th at 28:59.7.

Jasiah Whitfield finished 82nd in 29:10.7, followed by Noah Blankenship in 85th at 29:22.9 and Cooper Mayo in 90th at 29:53.1. Tariku Thompson placed 94th in 30:07.1, Bryan Wright finished 98th in 30:34.7, Aaron Cameron was 111th in 31:48.4 and Trey Sloan placed 116th at 32:16.6.

Lander returns to action Oct. 9 at the Royals Cross Country Challenge in Charlotte, N.C.