LEBANON, Pa. - Eastern Men's Cross Country opened its 2026 season at the 2026 LVC Dutchmen Cross Country Invitational on Saturday morning. It was a strong race for the Eagles, who finished in third place out of 12 competing teams with a score of 76. It was the Eagles best score and finish in a cross country race since finishing in third place at the DeSales Invitational back in October of 2023. The Eagles finished three places higher than they did in this same race a season ago, and every returning runner improved on their time from last year.

Anthony Zamichieli, Robert Walton, and Joshua Knox-Wagner all finished in the top 20. Zamichieli led the Eagles with an 18th place finish, crossing the finish line in 27:48.9 and averaging 3:33 per kilometer. Walton finished 19th in 28:04.8, averaging 3:31 per kilometer, and Knox-Wagner finished 20th in 28:06.2, averaging 3:33 per kilometer.

In his first collegiate race, first-year Kayden Hovermale finished in 29:44.6, averaging 3:43 per K. Fellow first-year Rylan Weiant crossed the finish line in 31:15.8, averaging 3:54 per kilometer in his debut race.

"Today was an amazing showing on both sides for the men and women. I am really impressed by this team and enjoyed watching them work together as they raced close to one another for our first race of the season," Eastern Head Coach Samantha David said. "This is just a glimpse of what these teams are capable of achieving this fall. We are just getting started."

Eastern will be back in action in two weeks for the MAC Championship Preview at Stevenson.