The top-ranked Chaparrals (NJCAA DIII) built upon its early successes in 2022 on Friday, finishing third in the Loyola Lakefront Gold 8-kilometer race held at Montrose Harbor in Chicago.
 
Led by freshman Nicholas Keeling's sixth-place finish, the Chaps posted a score of 92 points, finishing behind four-year schools Western Ontario (30) and Purdue Northwest (48).
 
Keeling ran the course in 26 minutes, 3.01 seconds, a 5:15 mile pace. Anthony Eddy was 26^th, followed Axel Huerta (29^th), Caleb DeBoer (37^th), Matt Fitzgerald (54^th) and Harry Llobera (57^th).
 
It marked Huerta's and DeBoer's first efforts on the season.
 
"A great day for the Chaps,'' assistant coach Mallory Johnson said. "Anthony, Axel and Caleb were within a minute of each other, and Nicholas continues to set the pace for our season.''
 
Keeling opened the first mile in 25^th and swiftly moved up the chase, Johnson said.
 
The Chaps are off until Oct. 7 when they compete at the Beloit (Wis.) Invitational.
 
Loyola Lakefront Gold Results
Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 | 8 kilometers
Montrose Harbor, Chicago
Chaparrals
6. Nicholas Keeling, 26:03.01 (5:15/pace)
26. Anthony Eddy, 27:44.39 (5:35/pace)
29. Axel Huerta, 28:02.88 (5:39/pace)
37. Caleb DeBoer 28:38.54 (5:46/pace)
54. Matt Fitzgerald 33:55.48 (6:50/pace)
57. Harry Llobera 34:47.32 (7:00/pace)