The women's and men's cross country teams hosted the heavily anticipated Bruins XC Night Classic on Bob Jones University campus tonight and performed well under the lights.

The women's 4k gun went off first at 8:15 p.m. with 95 runners. It was Lauren Jones in front for the Bruins right out the gate. She held strong the whole race and came through the finish line first for the Bruins with a time of 16:53. Kristen Dodds came next in a great effort tonight with a time of 17:12. Hannah Cohen and Lillian Strange came in the three and four spot for the Bruins not too far apart: Cohen finished at 17:34 and Strange at 17:53. To round out the top five for the Bruins was Cora Gagne racing a time of 18:09. Teammate Liz Farley came right behind her in a great final effort throught the finish line at 18:13.

The men's 6k followed with over 100 runners. The crowded course made the beginning difficult, but the Bruins found their stride. Judah Nash was first for the Bruins again finishing 22nd overall with a time of 20:37. Joel Batres-Mena and James Baer ran nearly the whole race near each other and finished side-by-side. Batres-Mena outkicked Baer by a second finishing at 21:17 and 21:18. Next for the Bruins was Daniel Kyle running a great race with a time of 21:58. To round out the Bruins top five was Levi Gerbitz at 22:16. Freshmen Matthew Carver and Jacob Doshier made their collegiate debut tonight and finished side-by-side much llike Batres-Mena and Baer. With times of 22:54.8 and 22:55.5, they nearly crossed the finish line simultaneously. To close the Bruins efforts tonight was freshman Harold Wood with a time of 26:10.

The Bruins stay in the Upstate next weekend when they go to Furman University to race in the Furman Invite on Saturday, September 13. The men's race will be first at 9:00 a.m. followed by the women's at 9:45 a.m. and they will be held on the Furman golf course.