(Sept. 25, 2009 - University Center, Mich.) -- The Concordia men's cross country team needed every member of their team on Friday as the Cardinals were the lone squad below the NCAA Division II status to participate in the Saginaw Valley State Invitational. Unfortunately, Concordia had two runners down early in Martell Buchanan and Tyler Case, and therefore had only four able-bodied runners in the race. Jim Abrams had his best finish of his career as he cut 11 seconds off his previous best by finishing in 27:40, which would have been 37th overall.

The three other Cards in the race were Ryan Burmeister, who finished with a time of 30:10.2 with Will Cantrell right behind finishing 16 seconds behind Burmeister with a time of 30:26. The last competitor was Samuel Bruer, who finished with a time of 33:05.5.

Addis Habtewold of Lansing Community College won the men's portion with a time of 25:23, with the team honor going to the Spartans of Michigan State University as they had three runners in the top 10, plus a fourth just outside at #11.

On the women's side, Concordia was represented by a lone runner as Corine Kuclo finished with a time of 31:06.1. Lia Jones of Oakland University was the winner of the women's portion as she crossed at 21:53.5, while the team victor was Michigan State who had three runners in the top five and seven in the top 15.

Next up for the Cardinals is the Lansing Community College Invitational on Saturday, October 3.