DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's cross country team captured its first team title of the 2011 season, running away with the ERAU Asics Classic on Saturday. Running in extremely soggy conditions on the course on Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus, the Eagles turned in a combined time of 2:21:00.40 and placed seven runners in the top 10 to finish with 17 total points.

For the fourth straight race, Evans Kirwa was the Eagles top runner in the 8K as he claimed his third individual title of the season after crossing the line in 26:14.90. Kirwa, a two-time NAIA National Runner of the Week, finished more than minute ahead of teammate Alex Frazier who was second overall in 27:47.86.  Zachary Kraus (28:32.19) and Josh Guerrero (28:55.73) were third and fourth, respectively, and Jacob Dordick (7th, 29:29.72), Patrick Clare (9th, 29:55.80) and Jason Riggs (10th, 30:07.47) rounded out the Eagles top seven finishers.

“Overall I was pretty pleased with how the meet went,” ERAU head coach Mike Rosolino stated. “I like how our athletes responded to the poor conditions. They accepted the challenge of the rain, mud and hills and ran very well. It was great preparation for nationals where we have to deal with all of those elements."

The Eagles return to action on Oct. 14 when they compete in the Black and Gold Challenge hosted by the University of Central Florida.