WESTVILLE, Ind. – Freshman Ben Balderas led IU South Bend Cross Country in his first collegiate 8-kilometer race on Friday, as the Titans competed at the Purdue-Northwest XC Classic.

Balderas posted a time of 30:02.96, finishing 25th overall to pace the Titans. In the women's 5-kilometer race, IUSB had two finishers; Anabel Willingham placed 24th with a time of 22:55.58, and Meagan Dietz finished 29th, crossing the line at 23:54.60.

Caleb Evans, in his first race of the season, was IUSB's second finisher in the men's race, recording a time of 30.28.38 to place 29th overall. Cohl Fox, who was the team's top runner in the season-opener at IU Kokomo, came home in 31:52.31 to finish 31st.

Luiz Perez (32nd; 31:57.08) and Darrian Holloway (37th; 33:45.64) rounded out the scoring positions for the Titans.

The Titans are back in action next week, when they compete at the Bullock Invitational, hosted by Taylor University on Friday, September 17.