SALISBURY, N.C. -- The Methodist men's and women's cross country teams participated in the Blue Bear Invitational, hosted by Livingstone, on Friday night.

On the men's side, the Monarchs posted a perfect score of 15 and had six runners finish in the top 10 as they came in first in the team standings. Endashaw Tonja was the individual winner with a time of 27:37. Mack brooks finished in second in 27:39, while Sam Hurst claimed third with a time of 27:57. Nathan Zauner took fourth place with a mark of 28:33 and Connor Ayers finished the race in 28:59. Jeremy Prichard was the sixth Methodist runner to place inside the top 10 with a seventh place finish in 30:33. Isaiah Florez rounded out the runners for MU with a time of 31:50 for 11th place overall.

For the women, MU placed three runners inside the top 10 and came in second overall in the team standings.Fayetteville State barely edged out MU with a score of 36 to take the team victory, while the Monarchs finished with 37. Lindsey Pritchard was the top finisher for the Green and Gold with a time of 19:57 to place second. Makayla Lawler placed third with a 20:46 mark, while Mekides Tamerat finished 10th with a time of 22:09.

The Monarchs return to action for the USA South Conference Championship meet in two weeks on Oct. 28, in Tallulah Falls, Georgia.