NAMPA, Idaho -- The EOU Cross Country team opened its 2009 season in Nampa, Idaho at the Northwest Nazarene Invite.

While it was a fairly small meet, the competition was stiff. NCAA Div. 1 Boise State, Div. 2 NNU, The College of Idaho, Westminster of Utah and Treasure Valley Community College rounded out the field.

Despite strong races both the EOU women and men finished fourth. Boise State won the men's side and The College of Idaho's NAIA 8th ranked squad won the women's race.

EOU'S women were led by Karlee Coffey in her first ever cross country race. She crossed the line in fourth place overall with a time of 14:39. Christine Eckstein finished in sixth place. Rounding out scoring for EOU was freshman Sarah Hanchett, Alma Garcilazo and Kendra Stone.

Leading the way for the EOU men for the second year in a row was freshman Terry Johnsen. He was closely followed by four freshmen in DJ Flores, Kevin Miller, Devin White and Kody Coxen. Justin Dean rounded out scoring for the Mounties.

Next week the Mountaineers will run in Springfield for the Cascade Conference Preview at the Doris Ranch. Race times are 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. and the race distances are the standard 5,000 meter and 8,000 meter distance for women and men respectively.