The Summit League Cross Country Championships took place last weekend in Macomb, Illinois, and a recent Highland alum took part in the race. Keiffer Sexton, a 2016 Highland graduate, is nearing the end of his freshman season on the Western Illinois University Leathernecks’ men’s cross country team. Sexton completed therace in 50th place out of 57 runners, clocking his eight-kilometer race at 29:21.7. The Leathernecks earned a sixth place finish out of seven teams, their best finish since the 2013 season.

Sexton has been alternating between six-kilometer and eight-kilometer races thisseason. His best 6k time came during his collegiate debut on September 2, completing the Western Illinois University Early Bird meet in 20:16.9. Sexton’s top 8k mark came on October 14, posting a time of 27:36.3 at the Bradley Classic.

Sexton had a decorated running career for the Huskies. He was named to the all-conference cross country team each of his four years, made the all-district team his final three cross country seasons, and was tabbed to the all-state team the last two seasons. Sexton also claimed the Class 1A 3200-meter state track championship in May. Sexton was a two-time recipient of KCII’s Hedge Above Lawncare Athlete of the Week.

Sexton will return to Iowa this Friday for the running of the NCAA Regional Championships at the Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa City.