LEOMINSTER, Mass. – Led by freshman Nick Ondr (Ozark, Mo./Glendale HS), the Bentley University men's cross country team launched its 2019 season by finishing fifth among nine teams in the Sheehan Memorial at the Doyle Conservation Area.

Ondr, in his first collegiate race, placed tenth overall and ninth among collegians with an 8,000-meter time of 27.14.

Next across the finish line for the Falcons was senior co-captain Ben Edwards (Morristown, N.J./ Morristown HS), who was three places and 20 seconds back of Ondr in 12th.

The other Bentley runner to crack the top 30 was another freshman. Aidan Cremins (Katy, Texas/Obra D. Tompkins HS) placed 28th in 28.29 in his collegiate debut.

Bentley, with a team score of 113, finished in back of UMass-Dartmouth (42), Bridgewater State (77), University of New England (78) and the host team, Fitchburg State (84).

UNE's Jacob Hickey was the individual champion with a time of 25:22. He bested runner-up Trevor Wysong of Bridgewater State by 26 seconds.

Bentley's next action is the UMass-Dartmouth Corsair Classic Sept. 21.