CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The McKendree men's cross-country team opened its 2022 season here Friday evening as the Bearcats finished in ninth place with 243 points at the 2022 Redhawks XC Invitational hosted by Southeast Missouri State University and held at Osage Centre Fields.
 
Friday's meet marked the head coaching debut for McKendree's first-year coach, Bryden Groves-Scott, who began his time at McKendree this past January.
 
Leading the way for the Bearcats in the season opening meet was freshman John Bush, who ran the 6K race in a time of 20:55.1 to finish in 42nd place overall in his collegiate debut.
 
Southern Illinois took home the team title as the Salukis had five runners place in the Top 12 en route to earning 33 points to win by 13 points over runner-up Southeast Missouri State, who scored 46 points. Lindenwood was third with 104 points and Maryville placed fourth with 119 points.
 
Jason Bowers of Cumberlands (Tenn.) took home first place overall among the field of 86 runners as he crossed the finish line in a time of 17:37.6. SIU's Ethan Sentil was second with a 6K time of 18:20.2 and SE Missouri's Noah Little was third with a 6K time of 18:26.4.