SHELBYVILLE, Ind. – The Franklin College men's cross country team faced off against the top runners from around the conference on Saturday (Oct. 30) at the 2021 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Championships at Blue River Park.

The Grizzlies saw two runners collect all-conference accolades for the first time in their careers in the race. As a team, the Grizzlies placed sixth overall, finishing just behind Hanover in the standings.

Freshman John Asplund and sophomore Jack Sells collected all-conference accolades with their showings in the race. Bloomington, Ind.-native Asplund collected one of 12 HCAC All-Conference honors with a 10^th place finish, crossing the line in 27:40.1. Not far behind him on the field in 18^th place was Sells, with the Indianapolis, Ind.-native earning honorable mention all-conference honors with his time of 28:31.5.

Placing third on the team and 28^th overall was junior Jaycee Wilburn with a time of 29:05.8. Sophomores Drew Hargis (29:14.9) and Eli Cochrane (29:16.0) rounded out the scoring times with 31^st and 32^nd place finishes, respectively.

Also taking part in the race for Franklin were: freshman Elliott Gough (40^th/29:38.8), junior Corbin Lee (60^th/30:44.5), senior Jordan Johnson (61^st/30:46.8), freshman Noah McCracken (66^th/31:24.4), freshman Travis Bullock (67^th/31"28.8), freshman Drew McGaha (73^rd/32:34.0), freshman Tristan Konkler (75^th/32:54.1), junior Henry Davidson (79^th/33:17.4), freshman TyJay Lester (82^nd/33:45.4), junior Ethan Bequeret (83^rd/33:51.9), freshman Luke Paddock (86^th/34:29.3) and sophomore Brayden Devenport (93^rd/36:53.6).

Earlham claimed the team championship with 61 points, edging out Manchester for the top spot.

The Grizzlies will be off for two weeks before returning to Blue River Park to serve as the host for the 2021 Great Lakes Championship.