NOTRE DAME, IND. -- The 19th-ranked Furman men's team won the Joe Piane - Notre Dame Invitational Friday at the Burke Golf Course in Notre Dame, Ind., while the 29th-ranked Paladin women placed tenth in a loaded field.

The Paladin men tallied 129 points for the victory, while 25th-ranked Michigan was second with 150 points.  Tenth-ranked Butler claimed third with 177 points.

On the women's side, top-ranked N.C. State took the title with 38 points, followed by No. 3 New Mexico in second with 94 points and No. 6 Alabama in third at 147 points.  The Paladins scored 314 points to finish ahead of multiple Power 5 schools, including No. 21 Illinois, 19th-ranked Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Vanderbilt, Florida, and Virginia. 

"We are obviously thrilled by today's outcome, and our youth really shows with great culture and stubborn competitiveness," said Furman head coach Robert Gary.  "We all know how far away championship season remains, but training has gone wonderfully, and the entirety of the program is committed towards being our fittest and most focused at the end of the season."

Senior Daniel Bernal led a contingency of four men in the top 28 on the five mile course.  Bernal crossed the line in 23:45.4 to finish 12th, while sophomore Dylan Schubert claimed 17th place at 23:57.4.  Senior Cameron Ponder turned in a time of 24:05.3 to finish 27th, followed by senior Aaron Wier in 28th at 24:05.9.  Sophomore Carson Williams completed the Paladin scorers in 45th place with a time of 24:27.8.

Junior Ares Reading finished 89th with a time of 25:01.5, while freshman Gabe Montague was 99th with a time of 25:01.5.  Senior Noah Dolhare posted a time of 25:23.4 for 131st place.

Sophomore Bethany Graham led the women for the third meet in a row, placing 17th with a time of 16:41.2.  Freshman Kaylie Armitage finished 55th at 17:06.7, and sophomore Jonna Strange turned in a time of 17:16.2 for 70th place.  Junior Nicole Matysik was 84th with a time of 17:21.0, followed closely by sophomore Megan Marvin in 89th place at 17:22.9. 

Sophomore Madelynne Cadeau crossed the line in 17:39.4 for 127th place, and freshman Meghan Ford was 167th at 18:10.0.  Sophomore Emily Little completed the Paladin lineup in 173rd place with a time of 18:14.8.

Furman will compete at the Queens Royal Challenge in Charlotte, N.C., on October 8.

Complete Furman Results

Furman Cross Country Classic 

Women - 10th out of 25 teams - 5K - 314 Points

17th Bethany Graham 16:41.2

55th Kaylie Armitage 17:06.7

70th Jonna Strange 17:16.2

84th Nicole Matysik 17:21.0

89th Megan Marvin 17:22.9

127th Madelynne Cadeau 17:39.4

167th Meghan Ford 18:10.0

173rd Emily Little 18:14.8

Men - 1st out of 23 teams - 5 Mile - 129 points

12th Daniel Bernal 23:45.4

17th Dylan Schubert 23:57.4

27th Cameron Ponder 24:05.3

28th Aaron Wier 24:05.9

45th Carson Williams 24:27.8

89th Ares Reading 24:55.1

99th Gabe Montague 25:01.5

131st Noah Dolhare 25:23.4