SHAWNEE – The Oklahoma Baptist men's and women's cross country teams opened their 2021 season with a pair of victories at the Oklahoma Baptist Cross Country Invitational.
Â
The Bison competed against stiff competition, which included, Wayland Baptist, East Central, Oklahoma City University, and Northwestern Oklahoma State. The OCU men's team won the NAIA National Championship and the ECU women placed second in the Great American Conference last season.
Â
Christian Arenivar of the men's team won the meet in a nail biter, he beat out Carson Sandvik, with a time of 20:54.12, in the final seconds.
Noah Eskew finished in fourth for the Bison with a time of 21:06.51. The Bison won the overall meet with a point total of 28 and an average time of 21:15.19.
Â
On the women's side
Emma Downing brought home the win, having beaten out Kelsey Castillo by six seconds. She finished with an overall time of 11:34.45.
Allison Derry (11:44.84) and
Kayla McGruder (11:46.71) both finished in the top four.
Â
The Bison will return to action on Firday, Feb. 27 when they compete in the GAC Championship. OBU will look to defend its conference crown.
Â
