WARRENVILLE, Ill. – In its season-opening meet, the host Wheaton College men's cross country squad claimed sixth place out of 19 competing teams at Friday's Gil Dodds Invitational.

The race at the St. James Farm Forest Preserve was moved up to Friday due to inclement weather in Saturday's forecast. The final team scores saw the Thunder conclude with 212 points. University of Chicago owned the top spot in the standings with 22 points overall, followed by North Central College at 86 points.

In the men's 8K, Ethan Meadows made his first collegiate race a memorable one as Wheaton's top finisher. The freshman reached the finish line in 27:16.4, placing 51st out of 248 total competitors.

Sophomore Luke Snider and junior Jude Hubbard finished simultaneously as the Thunder duo tied for 57th place in 27:22.8. Senior Wyatt Shepson was next in the team order, taking 73rd in a time of 27:45.1. Freshman Elijah Lucero claimed 83rd overall in 27:56.0, followed by senior Drew Swiston (89th, 28:03.8) and freshman Kowi Sunray (98th, 28:21.5).

The Thunder return to competition on Saturday, October 3 at Augustana College's Brissman-Lundeen Invitational.