CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Led by senior Sam Lenze, the IUP men's cross country squad took home the team title at the Cal U Invitational Saturday afternoon at Roadman Park. 

Lenze finished fourth overall with a time of 14:36.3 on the unorthodox 2.74-mile course, averaging a mile clip of 5:19.8. His final time was 20 seconds behind individual winner Jonathan Thrush of Cal U and 11 seconds back of third place. 

Lenze was one of three IUP runners in the top-10, as the Hawks' best seven scorers all finished in the top-20 overall. 

Freshman Marco Cardone crossed the line right behind Lenze, checking with a time of 14:39.3 and in fifth place. Sophomore Evan Weaver was close behind in seventh with a time of 14:45.3. 

Three more freshmen posted top times, including Ethan Ribelin in 15th with a time of 15:04.2 (5:30), Nate Kuntz in 17th at 15:24.8 (5:37), and Mitch Chunta in 19th with a time of 15:28.6 (5:38).

Senior Nathan Skodi rounded out IUP's scoring, coming in 20th overall with a time of 15:32.0 (5:40). 

This is IUP's second straight meet victory during this unique spring season, winning their own "Welcome Back" Mini-Invitational two weeks ago at Blue Spruce Park. 

Up next
IUP will compete for a conference title in two weeks with the running of the 2020-21 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Cross Country Championships. It's currently set for Saturday, March 20 at Lock Haven University.

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