SHAWNEE, OKLA. – For the first time in the 2016 season, the East Central University men's cross country team claimed first place at a meet, earning the award at the 2016 Oklahoma Baptist Invite against 10 teams.

2016 OBU Invite Results - Men

The Tigers finished with 51 points, just two points in front of second place (Rogers State).  ECU outpaced two other teams from the Great American Conference at the meet, with Oklahoma Baptist finishing fourth (117) and Southern Nazarene sixth (154).

Redshirt junior Kevin Matthews finished second individually in 25:25.12, a new career-best time.  sophomore Cole Montgomery was sixth (25:41.62), sophomore Larry Filer 11^th (25:59.34), senior Richard Mora 13^th (26:10.58), freshman Cameron Corbin 22^nd (26:47.29), junior Caleb Biles 28^th (27:05.59) and senior Noel Figueroa 30^th (27:06.16).

The Tigers were also represented by junior Conrad Carbaugh (27:28.31), freshman Tommy Grebe (28:25.18) and freshman Garrett Wallace (32:47.52).

ECU will now have a week off to prepare for the 2016 Great American Conference Championship hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 22.  The Tigers have won four of the five previous GAC titles since joining the conference.