The Shadow
BETHANY, W.Va. (VR) — WVU Tech cross country continued its 2026 season Saturday at the Bethany Invitational, where the Golden Bear men posted their second consecutive fourth-place team finish and Evan McElwayne turned in a runner-up performance in the men’s 8K.
McElwayne covered the course in 29:07.3 to finish second overall, while WVU Tech totaled 97 points to place fourth among the nine teams that recorded a team score.
Women’s race
Lexie Wikel led WVU Tech in the women’s 6K, finishing 28th overall in 27:05.8.
Peyton Asbury completed the race in 32:42.9, placing 60th. With two Golden Bears competing, WVU Tech did not record a team score.
Men’s race
McElwayne paced Tech’s 10-runner lineup with his runner-up finish, averaging 5:51.5 per mile over the 8K course.
Jan Fasius Ponsa was next across the line for the Golden Bears, placing 15th in 30:38.7, while freshman Evan Bishop finished 22nd in 31:31.9.
Freshman Charles David Northrop placed 29th with a time of 32:43.1, followed by fellow freshman Maddox Wickline in 34th at 33:22.4. Those five runners accounted for Tech’s 97-point team score.
Freshman Tristan Toler crossed in 34:02.7 to finish 41st. Chucky Jordan was 48th in 35:35.7, with Eli Jordan close behind in 50th at 35:44.4.
Cade Curfman finished 54th in 36:27.5, while freshman Jayzen Grace completed the Golden Bear lineup in 59th with a time of 42:34.5.
What’s next
WVU Tech returns to competition Friday, Oct. 9, at the Royals Cross Country Challenge in Charlotte, N.C. The meet is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Season snapshot
- Meets completed: 2
- Men’s team finishes: Fourth at the Eagle Cross Country Challenge and fourth at the Bethany Invitational
- Best men’s individual finish: Evan McElwayne, second at the Bethany Invitational
- Best women’s individual finish: Lexie Wikel, fifth at the Eagle Cross Country Challenge
- Top-10 individual finishes: 4
- Wikel, fifth at the Eagle Cross Country Challenge
- McElwayne, seventh at the Eagle Cross Country Challenge
- Jan Ponsa, 10th at the Eagle Cross Country Challenge
- McElwayne, second at the Bethany Invitational
