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EUGENE, Ore.  – The Bushnell men's cross country team hit the course for the first time this season on Saturday, hosting the Beacon XC Alumni Challenge at Dorris Ranch.  
 
Returning after a one-year hiatus, the Challenge presents the Beacons with their first opportunity for a little competition with a 5000m race before the true season begins next week. Head Coach Tom Boldon said, "It was really good to finally compete. We have been training together for four weeks so to get out here and race and see where we are at is a great opportunity. I was really pleased with our effort."
 
Leading the way for the Beacons was a newcomer, Graduate transfer Linus Rueegger, who claimed a strong 17:02 finish to beat out teammate Christopher Rosebrook by 21 seconds in his first-ever collegiate level cross country race after competing exclusively as a soccer player as an undergrad. "This journey of running has given me so much and I am so grateful now to do it at the collegiate level," said Rueegger. "More than anything, I am so excited to be running with such a great group of people and a great coaching staff."
 
"This was a good start for Linus," said Boldon. "He was all by himself out front so it is hard to gauge, but next week will be an awesome test for him in a pack of runners."
 
Alumni Cody Aucoin came in third place with a time of 17:55, edging out Bushnell freshman Noah Mancione (17:56) in fourth.
 
Conner Woodcock (18:31) and Quaid Ferguson (20:22) rounded out the Bushnell contingent while Carson Bain (20:40) also competed for the Alumni.
 
The Beacons will compete in their first official race of the 2021 season on Friday, September 3 when they travel to the Linfield Harrier Classic in McMinnville.