WILMORE, KENTUCKY — Cole Dudley raced to a spot in the national meet to highlight the day for the Indiana University East cross country teams at the River States Conference Championships on Nov. 4.

Dudley, a National Trail graduate, finished ninth in the men’s race. The top six individual runners who were not members of the advancing teams qualified for the NAIA Cross Country National Championships at Fort Vancouver National Historic Championship Course in Vancouver, Wash., on Nov. 18.

The IU East men finished fifth in the team standings. Dudley also made the all-conference team.

KEY MOMENTS

•The race took place in foggy, muddy conditions on the Asbury campus.

•Dudley finished the men’s 8K race in 28:08.

NUMBERS OF NOTE

•IU East has now sent runners to the national meet in seven of the past nine years.

•Robert Jones from WVU Tech was the men’s winner in 27:08.

NOTABLE QUOTABLE

“I thought today went pretty well. Definitely a muddy day. I’m thankful for my teammates as they pushed me all season. I just wanted to stay with a good pack throughout the race and push myself with the pack. I’m also grateful for Adam Klipstine for pushing me these three years I have run with him.” — Cole Dudley

UP NEXT

Dudley has two weeks to gear up for the national meet at Fort Vancouver National Historic Championship Course in Vancouver, Wash., on Nov. 18.