LEBANON, PA - The Susquehanna University men's cross country team turned in an excellent season-opening performance Saturday morning at Lebanon Valley's 8K Dutchmen Invitational. The day was led by sophomore Derick Blair picking up where he left off after a great last fall on the course, finishing third overall with a PR of 25:45, the fastest time for a Division III runner. Junior Evander Lackman also had a great season debut following two All-Landmark seasons, going 26:21 for seventh place. The River Hawks tallied the third-lowest team total with 94 points, the second-lowest among Division III teams behind the host Dutchmen's 74. Navy tallied 24 points with four in the top five.

Susquehanna Finishers

• 3. Derick Blair, 25:45.40 (personal best) - Fastest time among Division III finishers behind Navy's Trevor Hayes (25:13.60) and Jonathan Skemp (25:42.20). 
• 7. Evander Lackman, 26:21.60
• 30. Hunter Valentino, 27:50.70
• 33. Andrew Hilke, 27:57.20 (personal best)
• 39. Thomas McGann, 28:14.10
• 54. Brady Ryder, 28:57.10 (career debut)
• 77. Owen Trump, 29:48.40 (career debut)
• 88. Sam Borge, 30:07.70 career debut)
• 112. Joseph LaBarbera, 31:10.10 (personal best)
• 122. Brady Kearns, 32:00.80 (career debut)
• 125. James Dell, 32:06.90 (personal best)

Up Next for the River Hawks

• Susquehanna has a three-week break before its next race when the River Hawks head down to Dickinson's renowned course for its Long-Short Invitational.