KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — CIU men's cross country recorded several season and lifetime bests Friday while competing against several of the nation's top teams and a host of upper-level programs from across the Southeast at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge.

Jacobo Garcia-Rivera led the Rams over the 8-kilometer course in 27:11.51, recording a season-best time and meeting the NCCAA national qualifying standard.

Joey Canning also turned in a season-best performance, crossing the finish line in 28:29.52. Nate Mathison rounded out CIU's finishers with a lifetime-best time of 29:09.45.

The Rams will return to Knoxville on Nov. 6 for the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships.