Wingate, N.C. – The Anderson University men's cross country team finished first to open their season at the Bulldog Stampede on Saturday in Wingate, S.C. The meet, comprised of 13 teams, featuring five South Atlantic Conference teams including Anderson, Catawba (2^nd), Wingate (3^rd), Lincoln Memorial (6^th), and Coker (11^th).
 
"It was nice to finally open up our season after weeks and months of training." said Head Coach Kevin Eagle. "We treated the meet as a rust buster and It definitely looked like our first race of the season."
 
The Trojans took home first place with an average time of 22:08.89, and a score of 40. Graduate student Spain Vaughan (Greer, S.C.) earned a first-place finish (21:43.73) with sophomore William Cronin close behind at 21:52:95. Redshirt junior Elliot Dotson (22:14.69) and freshman Grayson Gibbons (22:18.59) earned top-10 finishes for the Black and Gold.
 
Four Trojans finished inside the top-30 including junior Sean McAdams (17^th - 22:34.49), redshirt-sophomore Nathan Smith (20^th - 22:40.13), senior Joey Tindale (25^th - 22:54.42), and sophomore Eddie Wedgewood (28^th – 23:02.19).
 
"The plan for the men was to pack up towards the front while feeling as controlled as possible. Some of the guys went out a little too relaxed, but that is simply the effects of not having any supper hard efforts all year until now. The goal moving forward is to sharpen up each race out and be ready to perform come November. It's always nice to get the win, but we know that this is just the start of what is to come later down the road."
 
The Trojans will be back in action Saturday (Sept. 27) as they travel to Kenosha, Wis. For the Lucian Rosa Invitational. Results can be found at autrojans.com.