CENTRAL, S.C. - The Southern Wesleyan men's cross country team competed for the first time this fall as part of the Warrior Invitational hosted by Southern Wesleyan. The Warriors hosted Columbia International, Bob Jones, Truett-McConnell, Toccoa Falls, and Warner. 

Southern Wesleyan finished fifth as a team in the 8000 meter with a total time of 2:36:28. Truett-McConnell won the event with a total team time of 2:25:41. Daniel Martin of Warner won the event as an individual with a time of 28:18.

"This was our first 8k of the season," said coach Greg Thiel. "We saw both some good things and some things we need to work on."

John Fredrickson was the top runner for the Warriors, who had three runners finish in the top 20. Fredrickson finished 13th with a time of 30:11. Robert Gwinn finished 18th (30:47) and Andrew Hochhalter finished 20th with a time of 31:01. Jon Gibbons, Eric Medina and Caleb George finished 29th, 31st and 33rd, respectively on the day. Mason Simms finished with a time of 32:49, good enough for 35th while Brennan Camili finished 40th (34:05). William Akridge finished 45th in the field. 

The Warriors return to the course Oct. 10 in the Gene Mullin Invitational in Greenville, S.C.