LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The reigning king is still in power, but on Saturday at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park, junior Chase Atkins posed a serious threat to seize Chris Striegel's throne.

Atkins placed sixth in the prestigious Gold Race at the 23rd Annual Live in Lou Classic while posting a 24:03 mark that was just shy of Striegel's Bellarmine University men's cross country 8k program record of 23:59.04 set in 2016 at the very same race.

Atkins' performance ranks third all-time — Bellarmine Athletics Hall of Famer Striegel also ran a 24:02.23 in 2016 at the GLVC Championships — and elevated him from fifth to second on the program's performance list behind Striegel. Atkins now owns three of the top 15 all-time marks.

Senior D.K. Schnieders placed 45th and his time of 24:47 is tied for 23rd all-time. Sophomore Will Nobbe followed in 84th, clocking a 25:10.6 that lifted him from 24th to 17th on the performance list.

Senior Josh Meiman was next in 94th, and he ascended from 27th to 24th on the performance list with his mark of 25:16.6. Junior Alex Hooten was close behind in 97th (25:17.8) and rounded out the top five.

In the women's 5k Blue Race, Sierra Oesterling competed for the first time this season, and the junior made an immediate impact, placing fifth with a time of 18:20.9 that ranks 38th in program history.

Senior Trisha Sexton placed 27th (19:01.9), senior Hannah Ellis was 51st (19:25.5), senior Taylor White was 89th (19:57.9) and senior Justice Pohlman-Singleton completed the top five in 105th (20:15.9).

Bellarmine's men placed 12th of 28 in the Gold Race, and the Knights women placed ninth of 24 in the Blue Race.

Bellarmine will compete Oct. 18 in the Angel Mounds Invitational.

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Bellarmine's 8k Gold Race Men's Results
6. Chase Atkins 24:03, 45. D.K. Schnieders 24:47, 84. Will Nobbe 25:10.6, 94. Josh Meiman 25:16.6, 97. Alex Hooten 25:17.8, 145. Nolan Hester 25:49.1, 148. Jackson Gawarecki 25:50.3, 157. Ben Hunter 25:53.7, 180. Chase Austin 26:12, 181. Hunter Griffin 26:14.2, 185. Jack Ballard 26:15.6, 192. Jimmy Dillabaugh 26:20.3, 209. Ryan Burchett 26:31.9, 219. Sherjeel Khan 26:42.6, 239. Salah Farah 27:21.6, 244. Nate Wheatley 27:26.7, 249. Forrest Gago 27:32.5, 256. Peter Dalmares 27:49.3, 259. Drew Belardo 28:16.5

Bellarmine's 5k Blue Race Women's Results
5. Sierra Oesterling 18:20.9, 27. Trisha Sexton 19:01.9, 51. Hannah Ellis 19:25.5, 89. Taylor White 19:57.9, 105. Justice Pohlman-Singleton 20:15.9, 111. Ginger Atzinger 20:18.9, 120. Erin Luckett 20:27.9, 135. Ellerie Heinzmann 20:38.2, 149. Sarah Jacob 20:57.7, 165. Molly Moore 21:19.1, 180. Shaianne Overall 21:40.9, 203. Katie Schweigardt 22:16.7, 217. Cassidy Gilbert 23:11.3, 227. Madison Adkins 24:47.8