MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | the Georgia College & State University men's cross country team finished in second place at the Bobcat Invitational Friday (Sept. 26) evening at the new Bobcat Cross Country Course.

Defending Peach Belt Conference champion Augusta University won the meet with 28 points, while the Bobcats were next with 71 points in the 13-team field on the 8K course that will host the Peach Belt Championship next month.

Shipley Smith was the top Bobcat in the field with a fifth-place time of 27:37.2. Smith was one of four GCSU runners inside the top 20. Zach Hilyer finished in 15th place at 27:18.6, while Karl Ritzler was a spot behind at 27:19.1. Noah Boyd rounded out the contingent in 18th place at 27:27.6. Nolan Lane finished in 22nd place at 27:49.3 followed by Daniel Laird  (35th, 28:26.2), Peyton Harley (38th, 28:41.6), Noah Peters (40th, 28:42.7), Evan Rehrauer (44th, 29:06.0), Daniel Bell (45th (29:06.3), Reed Glaser (46th, 29:08.1), and Evan Armstrong (62nd, 30:33.9).

The Bobcats return to action Oct. 10 when they travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, to take part in the Royals Cross Country Challenge at 4:15 p.m.
   
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Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.