AUGUSTA, KS – For the second straight season, the Cougars started the year with a first place finish.

The Colorado Christian men's cross country team claimed the top spot at the JK Gold Classic to start the 2021 campaign.

Last season, the Cougars won the Colorado Springs Cross Country Open to begin to abbreviated 2020 competition year.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Cougars claimed the top four college finishers as they beat the host school, Wichita State, 21-36.

After an unattached runner crossed the finish in the top spot, Ryder Searle was the top college finisher as he completed the 6K course in 17:57.22. Josh Pierantoni and Alex Vance officially had the same time (18:04.37) then Trent Cochran clipped the tape in 18:08.92 to put the squad in prime position for the team win.

The Shockers top five runners all completed the course before Colorado Christian's fifth runner. However, Aiden Day (18:52.67) 14th place finish was just behind the number five runner for Wichita State. 

UP NEXT: The Cougars next race is in 13 days when they make a quick trip Washington Park in downtown Denver to compete at the Roadrunner Invitational hosted by MSU Denver on Friday, Sept. 17.

NOTE: An earlier version of the story did not have the correct results