SALEM — The Eastern Oregon University cross-country team has never missed a Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational. And on Saturday, Sept. 30, the men’s team made sure this trip to Salem was a memorable one.

The Mountaineers, competing with range of teams from NCAA Division I to community colleges, took first place on the men’s side for the first time in 48 years.

In the men’s 8K, Justin Ash finished ninth overall, clocking in a time of 24 minutes, 38 seconds. Following him was Hunter Nichols, who finished in 24:57, to take 15th. Cristian Mendoza wasn’t too far behind, grabbing 17th at 24:59. Thomas Ogden and Winston Telford also put up respective times, placing 26th and 32nd. All these individual performances paid off for the Mounties, pushing them to the top-place finish.

“It took 48 years and far too many (often close) second-place finishes to win this thing, but the guys got it done,” EOU head coach Ben Welch said.

The Eastern Oregon women finished 13th overall as a team, and Riley Morris put up a time of 18:55, placing 52nd. Lauryn Mitchell ran a 19:11, finishing 62nd. Other notable finishes were Mattie Woodbury (19:40, 88th) and Madelyn Nichols (19:41, 91st).

Both EOU teams will head to Lewis and Clark College on Oct. 14 in Estacada.