By: Staff Writer, Patrick R Phillips
Mountaineers Finish Fourth at Hanover Invitational
HANOVER, Ind. — The Berea College men's cross country team opened its 2026 season Saturday at the Hanover Invitational, finishing fourth out of seven teams with 104 points.
Taiki Ogawa paced the Mountaineers in the men's 6K, earning a fourth-place finish with a time of 20:45.2. Ogawa averaged approximately 5:34 per mile and finished among the top runners in the field.
Desire Itwitaho gave Berea another top-10 finish, crossing the line seventh overall in 21:05.2. Ogawa and Itwitaho led the Mountaineers with strong front-running performances.
Kellen Young followed in 30th with a time of 23:05.2, while Andrew Bratcher finished 45th in 24:35.8. Shane Mitchell-Cox placed 48th at 25:18.6.
Ian Taylor finished 50th with a time of 26:08.8, while Noah Howard rounded out Berea's seven-man lineup in 54th at 27:50.4.
Berea Results
Thomas More claimed the team title with 45 points, followed by Hanover with 55 and Franklin with 77. Berea finished fourth with 104 points, ahead of Brescia, IU Columbus and Boyce.
The Mountaineers will look to build on Saturday's performance when they return to action September 19 at the Mike and Mary Johnson Classic in Berea.
