GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--Freshman Jason Bowers continues to stack up accomplishments and medals in his first season winning the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge and setting a new course record.

Bowers broke the record with a time of 24:03.30 to led the Cumberland harriers and cross the finish line first of 239 athletes. The second place finisher was Bryan Hernandez-Rios from Grace College with a time of 24:19.50. The closest Mid-South Conference runner to Bowers was Aiden Kammler from Shawnee State with a time of 24:52.20.

The win is Bowers third consecutive win and fourth overall and the second course record he has broke this season.

Denis Kipligat was the second Phoenix runner to finish placing 46th with a time of 25:39.50. Alex Kogo was third for CU in 135th place with a time of 26:44.40. 

Ethan Rhoden checked in at 178th finishing at 27:18.20 followed by four Phoenix within a minute of each other. Edwin Kigen took 201st at 27:55.80, Joel Forbes finished in 205th at 28:05.20, and Jacob Harzbecker was the final Phoenix to chip in points in 211th at 28:14.90. Walter Tanui was just behind Harzbecker in 219th at 28:43.70. 

Ethan Garcia crossed in 230th at 29:57.40 and Max Berkey came in 238th at 31:02.50. 

Alvin Kangogo ran in the white division of the race and finished in 162nd with a time of 29:15.80. 

As a team, Cumberland finished in 21st with 512 points. Indiana Wesleyan checked in at first to win the event followed by St. Francis (Ill.) and St. Mary (Kan.). The University of the Cumberlands had the highest finish amongst Mid-South schools in 18th place with 463 points followed closely by Shawnee State in 19th with 485. CU defeated RV Doane University in the race in MSC rival Lindsey Wilson. 

Cumberland’s next race will be the Mid-South Conference Championships at Phil Moore Park in Bowling Green, Ky. On November 4th.