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CLINTON, Miss. - The Union University men's cross country team posted a first place finish at the Watson Cross Country Classic hosted by Mississippi Christian University. The 8K event took place at the Choctaw Trails and featured 29 teams and 257 runners. 

The Bulldogs took first place and boasted three runners in the top-10. Union finished ahead of host and GSC foe Mississippi Christian (3rd) and future GSC members, Loyola-New Orleans (6th) and Spring Hill (16th). Union's 2:07:57 8K time was the third best 8K time in program history. 

Union head coach Tristan Kelly said, "It was an unbelievable run from the guys. The team continues to progress and I am excited to take this team to Nashville in a couple weeks for the GSC Championship."

The first place finish for Union was the fifth race title for the men since joining NCAA D2 in 2012 and the first since a first place finish at Trevecca Nazarene Invitational in 2018. 
 
Aaron Fynaardt finished runner-up in the race with a time of 24:36. That mark was good enough for the fifth best 8K time in program history. Freshman Jonathan Lewis posted the programs 18th best 8K time, 25:15, finishing fourth in the Watson Classic. Joseph Hamilton posted a ninth place finish with a time of 25:39. 

Luke Winkleman finished 28th, Jude Sparkman 40th, Anderson Mathias 84th, Clark French 86th, Caleb Santhosh 138th, Riley Garrison 147th, Kaydan Patterson 210th, and Adian Hurst-Vasquez 226th. 

This was the final regular season race of the season for Union. Up next will be the Gulf South Conference Championship, Friday, November 6 in Nashville, Tennessee at The Hermitage. 

-UNION-