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ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry University men's cross country team placed second (out of seven teams) and the women sixth (of eight), as the War Hawks hosted the Bill Libby Invitational on Saturday at Nelson Park.

In the men's 8K race, McM narrowly out-distanced UT-Permian Basin for the runner-up slot, followed by Abilene Christian in fourth. South Plains College ran away with the men's division – literally – missing a perfect score by just one place.

For the War Hawks, junior Michael Dowd led the team with a sixth place finish. Dowd circled the Nelson Park course in 26:48.29 minutes. Newcomer Scout Hale was 11th overall at 26:56.96.

The team's last three scoring runners were grouped closely. Shane Floyd was 28th in a clocking of 28:43.06. Right behind him was sophomore Bo Porter (28:44.82) in 29th. Another returnee, Spenser Patterson, was 37th by finishing in a time of 29:39.55.

In the women's 5K, it was veteran Alyssa Fields emerging with her team's top time. Fields posted a time of 20:30.94 minutes and was 17th overall. Sophomore Mary Affleck was close behind min 21st, crossing the line at 20:38.88.

Junior Lauren Peery narrowly missed a top-25 finish, settling for 26th place (21:01.78).

McMurry's women's team scorers were finalized with newcomer Taylor Jones finishing 47th (22:14.91) and Chantel Ruffin in n56th (22:37.71).

The War Hawks next compete on September 21 at the Missouri Southern Stampede.