LAWRENCE, Kan. - Led by a trio of sophomores, the Eagles placed 11th at the NAIA Pre-National Meet Saturday. Cris Renteria finished 15th overall with a time of 25:35.98, Brett Davis (26:12.22) placed 33rd and Tyler Meierarend (26:16.20) crossed the line in 39th position. All three times were top-10 times in school history.

Dakota Shoemaker (27:35.75, 123rd overall) and Austin Jones (27:38.18, 125th overall) were the final two scorers for CMU.

"We're definitely where we need to be," said head coach Chris Sandefur, adding that freshman Brennan Cape, who had been battling sickness all week, was his only runner who did not run as fast as expected.

The Eagles were the top HAAC conference finisher, one spot ahead of Missouri Valley College. "I think our guys are starting to make that noise that, 'Hey, we're one of the top teams in the conference,' Sandefur said.

The Eagles have never won a conference championship, but are hopeful that this year will be their first, and based on their recent performances, that confidence is not unwarranted.

"We're just some sophomores and one junior trying to make history," Sandefur said. "They believe that it's gonna happen."

The Eagles have one more meet before conference Nov. 9, the NAIA Mid-States Classic in Winfield, Kan., on October 26.