Bolivar, Mo. - The McKendree University men's cross country team kicked off the 2023 season at Southwest Bearcat Invitational, hosted by GLVC rival Southwest Baptist University.

The Bearcats toed the line for a 6p.m. start time and the hot Missouri sun had no plans of going anywhere during the 6250m (4 mile) race. The field held several GLVC competitors including Drury, Missouri Southern, Southwest Baptist, Missouri-Saint Louis, Missouri S&T, and William Jewell.

McKendree finished 9th overall scoring 276 points, ahead of conference foe William Jewel who placed 12th with 360 points.

Sophomore Blake Westrater led the way for the Bearcats crossing the line the in 21:51, followed by John Bush (21:56), Jaxon Groves-Scott (22:32), Caleb Klein (23:22), and Oshawi Burgher (23:47) rounding out the scoring for the harriers. 

The Bearcats are back in action on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Bradley Intercollegiate Meet in Peoria, Ill, and will return to Southwest Baptist for the GLVC conference championship on Oct. 21.