MURRAY, Ky. – SIUE men's and women's cross country competed in the Ohio Valley Conference Championships where the men's team placed third and the women finished ninth.

The men's team tallied 89 total points, finishing behind Eastern Illinois (67) and Eastern Kentucky (21).

Highlighting the 8K for the men's team was junior Keith Meyer. His time of 24 minutes, 58 seconds gave him a fifth-place, All-OVC finish.

"Keith put himself in position right from the start and never looked back," said SIUE Distance Coach Kayla Brown

The next-best finish for SIUE was Nick Moore, who placed 16^th with a time of 25:42.2. Ben Scamihorn crossed the line just seconds behind him, finishing 18^th. Scott Woodard, two seconds behind Scamihorn, finished 19^th.

"Ben and Nick had phenomenal races and worked up through the pack for the entirety of the race," said Brown. "Scott also gave it his all to finish in the top 20."

Completing the top five for the Cougars was Clint Kliem in 34^th place, completing the race in 26:34.5.

The women's team placed ninth, tallying 196 points. Eastern Kentucky claimed the title with 27 points.

"Our women did the best they have all season in terms of working collectively as a group, and I am proud of how they raced as a unit," said Brown.

Leading the Cougars was Erin Kennedy, was has been the first Cougar to cross the finish line every race this season. She finished 27^th with a time of 18:47.1, another personal best for the junior.

Allie Sweatt (18:58.5) and Jess Clarke (19:08.2) finished 40^th and 42^nd for SIUE, respectively. Both times were personal bests.

Completing the top five scorers for the Cougars was Conradette King in 45^th place with a time of 19:11.1, and Haley Miller in 48^th place with a time of 19:19.2.

Both teams will compete in the Midwest Regionals in Lawrence, Kansas, November 13.