TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Improving on his 2018 finish by 48 places, Jordan Rowe repped Lamar University well at the NCAA Cross Country National Championships.

The senior from Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, England, finished 86th out of 253 runners with a time of 31:52.8, finishing 48 places better than his 134th finish in 2018 despite tough conditions on the field.

Rowe has been instrumental to Big Red's success this year, leading the men's cross country team in all five races this year. The 2019 SLC Men's Athlete of the Year, Rowe spearheaded the Cardinals' record-setting Southland Conference victory in Conway, Ark., with a first-place finish. Rowe has finished in the top 10 in every race this year.

The NCAA Championships concluded an extremely successful 2019 cross country season for Lamar. The Cardinals won the SLC Men's Cross Country title for the 17th time, and took fourth at the NCAA South Central Regional with two All-Region honorees (Rowe and Jack Gooch). The Cards also had nine All-SLC members including Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year Tony Houchin. First Team All-SLC members included Rowe, Gooch, and Liam Burthem. Rowe was honored with the Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Year award, and Burthem was named the Men's Newcomer. Joining the three first team members were Harry Halford, Declan Neary, and Matthew Arnold on the third team All-SLC squad. On the women's side Julie Emmerson earned a first team honor and Katy Whiteoak was named to the second team.