Despite the fourth fastest individual 8K time in school history, the Saint Louis University men’s cross country team finished 12th overall at the Conference USA Championship Meet in Lake Kristi, N.C.

Freshman Joe Porter ran a time of 25:37.7, which was the fourth fastest time in school history, but it only placed him 46th in the meet.

“Everyone ran real good individual races. It was a fast and flat track that enabled everyone to set or come close to their individual bests,” said junior captain Mike McCaslin.

The 12th place finish was evidence that the men were up against some of their stiffest competition of the year. “We compete in one of the toughest conferences in the country, and that was evident last weekend,” said junior Brandon Middleton.

The team is continuing to improve under the expert tutelage of Coach Mike Uhrich, who is in his 10th year at SLU. “Coach Uhrich is outstanding. He knows a lot about distance running, and to be coached by him is a pleasure,” Middleton said.

In the same meet, the women’s team was led by freshman Sarah Moberg, with a time of 22:29.3, which was good enough for 57th place. The Bills earned enough points to finish 13th out of 14 teams.

Senior Meagan Snedeker was second for the Bills, with a time of 22:51.9. “The location was incredible, the East Carolina course was amazing,” Snedeker said.

“The majority of the team ran best in our most important meet. We were just two points from beating Memphis, which would have been a great accomplishment,” Snedeker said.

The cross country teams will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 10, in the District Tournament at SIU-Carbondale. At that meet, the Bills will be looking to beat Creighton, Illinois and Bradley.

“Running at Carbondale is almost like running a home course. We run there each year and are very familiar with the course,” Snedeker said.

Both Billiken teams will look to use that home course advantage to make a statement in the district tournament.