SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – UC Irvine men's cross country went up against a tough field that featured seven teams ranked in their respective regions, including two among the top-25  in the nation, Friday at the Bill Dellinger Invitational in Springfield, Oregon.
 
The Anteaters finished ninth overall. No. 14 Oregon took home the team title with 16 points, while No. 23 Air Force came in second (50 points). The Ducks' Benjamin Balazs was the individual champion (23:08.20).
 
Sophomore Juan Chantaca was UCI's top runner for the third-straight meet, completing the 8K course at Pine Ridge Golf Club in 24:37.07 to place 38th.
 
Sophomore Jimmy Markowicz was next across the line for the 'Eaters, clocking in at 25:24.63 (64th). Freshman Ziyad Abdallah wasn't far behind in 68th at 25:31.49.
 
Freshman Mark McAleenan Jr. (26:09.50), freshman Javin Schmitt (26:14.83), and sophomore Angel Cordero (27:00.94) rounded out UC Irvine's lineup.
 
Up next on the Anteaters' schedule is the Highlander Invitational in Riverside on Saturday, Oct. 18.