SHELBYVILLE, Ind. – The Earlham College cross country team opened its fall season at the Grizzly Invitational hosted by Franklin College at Blue River Cross Country Course on Saturday. 

Jaden Hawthorne ran a time of 30:30.94 to lead the way for the Quaker men's team after 8-kilometers. Levi Call followed closely with a 30:35.55. As a team, the men's squad finished just behind Mount St. Joseph and Berea, giving a target for the Quakers to chase when EC returns to Blue River for the HCAC Championship in November. 

Cleo Saltz led the women's team with a time of 25:39.35 in the 6-kilometer course. Akiko Tajima finished less than two minutes behind, both competing in their first collegiate cross country race. 

Beginning the year with a full distance meet, the Quakers felt a shock to the legs, even for upper-classmen runners who competed at the distance last season. 

Earlham continues its season next weekend at the Hanover Invitational.