Belmont Takes Third at Eye Opener Invitational

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Freshman Eric Kigen and senior Jordan Anderson led the Belmont Men's Cross Country team to third place out of 21 teams at USC Upstate's Eye Opener Invitational on Saturday morning.  Kigen placed third with a time of 25:38 on the eight kilometer course, while Anderson finished sixth in 25:51.

Furman won the meet with 40 total points, placing its first five runners in the top 12 overall.  The host Spartans finished just ahead of Belmont in second, totaling 71 points.  USC Upstate's Gilbert Kemboi won the individual championship with a time of 24:13.

The Bruins were next with 77 points, while Charlotte and Atlantic Sun foe Campbell rounded out the top five with scores of 89 and 143, respectively.  BU put all five of its scorers in the top 30 overall to place third.

Senior Kip Hill was the third Belmont harrier to cross the line on Saturday.  He placed 19th in a time of 26:31.  Freshman Brandon Mahaney and senior Clay Hannah rounded out the Bruins' scorers.  Mahaney finished in 26:37 to place 22nd, while Hannah took 28th in a time of 26:51.

Sophomore Kyle Sullinger (35th, 27:09), senior Hillary Cheruiyot (41st, 27:16), freshman Josh Helton (42nd, 27:16) and senior Daniel Jones (47th, 27:32) also were in competition for BU on Saturday.

Belmont will next return to Nashville to compete in the Commodore Classic, hosted by Vanderbilt on September 18.