BOWLING GREEN, Ky.--Members of the University of Evansville cross country program wrapped up a solid spring season on the track on Saturday, as UE competed in the non-scoring Western Kentucky Invitational on a warm and windy day in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

With temperatures in the mid-80s and the winds blowing between 20 and 25 miles per hour, sophomore Ryan Witters paced a strong contingent of Purple Aces on the track with a fifth-place finish in the men’s 1,500-meter race with a time of 4:02.38.  Witters also clocked in with an 800-meter time of 1:57 to place right behind redshirt sophomore Nicholas Tyree in the men’s 800-meter race, as Tyree placed 10th overall in a time of 1:57.07.

Sophomore Max Cordier also posted a 14th-place finish in the men’s 5,000-meters with a time of 16:44.73, as he was the third Purple Ace to post a top-15 finish on the afternoon.  Freshman Daniel Caruana joined Tyree and Witters in the 30-competitor 800-meter field, placing 22nd overall with a time of 2:05.39.  Sophomore Brian Denny, competing for the first time since a bout with mono, turned a time of 4:31.84 in the men’s 1,500-meters, while junior Michael Romine (25th-4:37.94) and freshman #Kyle O’Connor# (26th-4:46.63) also competed in the event.

“I was really pleased with the results on Saturday, especially considering the conditions,” said UE head coach Don Walters.  “The wind was a major factor for everyone on Saturday, as times across the board were a slower for most runners.

“I thought that both Ryan Witters and Nicholas Tyree ran great races.  Ryan ran an outstanding 1,500-meter race, as that is an outstanding time considering the wind.  And, I thought that both men ran great 800-meter races as well.  Overall, it was a great way to finish the spring season, and I am already looking forward to working with these teams in the fall.”