ROME, Ga. -- Runners from the Reinhardt College men's and women's cross country teams participated in the Berry Invitational, hosted by Berry College, on Saturday morning at the Clara Bowl.  

Reinhardt had four men and four women compete in the meet with five runners per squad needed to qualify for a team score. Appalachian Athletic Conference member Bryan College won the men's competition with a score of 44 while host Berry won the women's side with a score of 56. There were a total of 32 full teams at the event, 16 for each of the men and women.

In the men's 8K race, which included 138 runners, freshman Leighton Steadman led the Eagles with a 92nd-place finish and a time of 30:49.38, more than two minutes better than last Saturday. Cody Fulkerson's 31:34.09 clocking was almost three minutes better than a week ago and was good for 104th. Chris Higgins and Christian Abrams also ran for Reinhardt.

The women's 5K competition included 142 participants. Kristie Spivey was the Lady Eagles' top finisher with a time of 22:46.51 for 72nd place). Melissa Blumer, Erika Miller and Jessica Reagin also represented Reinhardt.

Both the Eagles and Lady Eagles will race at the Mercer RunFit Sports Invitational, hosted by NCAA Division I Mercer University in Macon, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 26.