LEWISTON, Idaho - Eastern Oregon Men's and Women's Cross Country wrapped up its final meet of the 2021 regular season Saturday afternoon at the Inland Empire Championships hosted by Lewis-Clark State College.

The Mountaineer men fared well placing fourth with 134 points. They were the second highest placing NAIA team behind host school LC State who was third. Travis Running led the charge placing 10th individually on the 8K course with a time of 24:52.

The Mountaineers women placed 12th as a squad scoring 276 points. Michelle Herbes once again was the top finisher in her second race of the year. She placed 38th overall on the 5K course in a final time of 18:48.

In the men's race, the second Mountaineer to come in was once again true freshman sensation Cristian Mendoza who finished inside the top-20 with a 19th-place finish. He cleared the finish line in a final time of 25:15. Next across the finish line was Hunter Nichols who placed 39th with a time of 25:57.

Rounding out the scoring portion for the Mountaineers was Jonathan Wind and Justin Ash. Wind placed 51st in a time of 26:18. Ash finished right behind Wind in 52nd with a time of 26:21. 

In the women's race, Katie Jo Gebhardt was the second runner in after Herbes. She crossed the finish line in a time of 19:16 to earn a 55th-place finish. Jaimee Baxter was the third Mountaineer across the finish line placing 76th in a time of 19:55 on the 5K course.

Emma Hollon and Lisa Megargee rounded out the top-five for the Mountaineers in terms of scoring. Hollon placed 84th with a time of 20:13. Megargee was three spots back of Hollon with a time of 20:20 to place 87th.

The Mountaineers will have a three-week break once again before getting postseason action started with the 2021 Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships. The CCC Championship meet will take place Saturday, Nov. 6 in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

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