For the second time this season, Freshman Austin Sigman led the B-State men's team as the squad turned in a 24th-place finish at the Royals Challenge hosted by Queens University at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte.

Sigman registered 91st place on the scoring table, against 231 entered athletes from 37 teams. Christon Hardemon, Javon McBride and Tyler Davis finished in a pack for the Big Blue, all crossing the line within seven places from each other, while Ben Walker rounded out the scoring five.

"We had a couple of folks either out of action or just returning from some illnesses and injuries, so we knew the men wouldn't be at full strength for this race, but we saw some grit and strong effort," said Bluefield State Head Coach Brooks Rexroat. "We know what

we can be when we're at our best, and we'll work to recover a little and get back to the training techniques that have been working well for us this season. We're really happy with the effort: Austin had a strong run as he continues so get used to the 8-kilometer distance. Our team is getting better at keeping contact with each other during the race and helping each other move forward, and we got an especially gutty race from Ben, who had just returned to action with us a few days before the meet. These guys who keep coming every day and working are seeing the payoff, and the coaching staff is thrilled for them."

B-State will next compete Friday afternoon at Roanoke University's Green Hill Park course. The men begin at 5 p.m. with the women following at 5:50. The race will conclude B-State's regular season and lead in to the USCAA Championships, set for Nov. 11 at Bells Mills Park in Chesapeake, VA.