The Purdue Northwest men's cross country team continued its 2026 season Friday at the Olivet Nazarene Midwest Classic in Bourbonnais, Illinois, putting together a strong team performance against a competitive field.

The Lions placed six runners inside the top 25, led by senior Jackson Bakker (Lowell, Ind./Lowell), who finished sixth overall with a time of 26:22.9. PNW also saw Keaton Westley (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley), Jalen Strietelmeier (/Highland, Ind.) and Danny Frevert finish ninth through 11th, respectively, as the Lions placed multiple runners near the front of the field.

The Basics:

• Event: Olivet Nazarene Midwest Classic
• Location: Bourbonnais, Illinois
• PNW recorded six top-25 finishes
• Jackson Bakker (Lowell, Ind./Lowell) led the Lions with a sixth-place finish

The Breakdown:

• Senior Jackson Bakker (Lowell, Ind./Lowell) led the Lions, finishing sixth overall with a time of 26:22.9.
• Sophomore Keaton Westley (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley) followed in ninth, crossing the finish line in 26:34.2.
• Sophomore Jalen Strietelmeier (/Highland, Ind.) placed 10th with a time of 26:35.1.
• Freshman Danny Frevert II (Lowell, Ind./Lowell) finished 11th in 26:35.5.
• Senior Brennen Corregedore (Kapaa, Hawaii/Kauai) came in 12th with a time of 26:45.0.
• Sophomore Kristofer Garner rounded out the Lions' top six, finishing 15th in 26:57.4.
• Senior Rafael Maier (Portage, Ind./Portage) placed 16th with a time of 27:04.7.
• Freshman Jacob Hernandez (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) finished 21st in 27:27.8.
• Senior James Snow crossed the finish line in 24th with a time of 27:39.9.
• Senior Josh Tuck placed 25th in 27:44.4.
• Junior Luis Baez (Sandwich, Ill./Sandwich Community) finished 26th with a time of 27:47.3.
• Junior Julio Herrera (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central) placed 34th in 28:03.8.
• Freshman Gabe Goral (Griffith, Ind./Griffith) crossed in 46th with a time of 29:02.5.
• Freshman Brayden Prieskorn (China Township, Mich./St. Clair) finished 49th in 29:17.0.
• Sophomore Gabriel Early (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) placed 54th with a time of 30:00.4.
• Junior Conor Gross (Du Quoin, Ill./Du Quoin) finished 56th in 30:15.5.
• Junior Cort Haney (Avon, Ind./Avon) rounded out the Lions' runners, placing 77th with a time of 34:25.6.

Up Next:
The Lions will return to action on Saturday, October 10th, when they travel to Romeoville, Illinois, for the Lewis Crossover.