The Bruins traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina to race in the Spartan Classic hosted by UNC Greensboro.

"October is always a shift of mentality," Head Coach Ken Roach said. "We have to prepare ourselves for what is coming ahead, and they definitely rose to the occasion today."

The men's 8k came first at 5:00 p.m. This was the best race the team has had so far this season. Judah Nash was back in front for the Bruins setting a personal best at 27:56. This was his first sub-28 race of his career. Joel Batres-Mena set his season best just a few seconds later at 28:02. James Baer ran through the finish line next at 29:21. Next for the Bruins was Luke VanDenBerghe setting a big two-minute personal best time of 29:32. This was the first time the junior was inside the Bruins top five in his career. To round out the top five, Daniel Kyle ran to a time of 29:36. Levi Gerbitz finished strong and came in at 30 minutes flat. Matthew Carver and Jacob Doshier ran together for the majority of the race and finished at 30:34 and 30:56. To close the Bruins race, Harold Wood fought hard for a 33:29. The men finished in 6th place out of 12 teams.

The women's 5k gun went off at 5:45 p.m. The women's team also had the best all-around race of the season. Lauren Jones and Kristen Dodds led the Bruins and finished just six seconds apart: Jones finishing at 21:28 and Dodds at 21:34. Freshman Lillian Strange had a good bounce-back race after running sick at Brevard. She ran strong finishing sub-22 at 21:59. Hannah Cohen and Cora Gagne rounded the top five at 22:17 and 22:24. Liz Farley finished the race for the Bruins just seconds away from her personal best at 22:31. The women's team placed seven out of 14 teams.

"There is still work to do, but I'm proud of their efforts," said Coach Roach. "They approached the race well today and confidence can grow from here."

Today was a family affair for Coach Roach since his daughter Kaleigh Roach is the cross country head coach at UNC Greensboro and race director of today's meet. "It's so good to see Kaleigh blossom as a coach. I'm proud to see her love for the sport and the maturity level she has a coach," said Coach Roach reflecting on today.

Full results of the Spartan Classic can be seen here.

The Bruins now have a couple weeks to prepare for the USC Upstate Invite held at Milliken Aboretum in Spartanburg, South Carolina on October 18.