Highland alum Keiffer Sexton leads the pack during the Washington Cross Country Invitational last fall. Photo by KCII Sports Nate Gonner.

Recent Highland graduate Keiffer Sexton began his competitive college running career Friday in Illinois. Sexton, a true freshman on this year’s Western Illinois University Leatherneck’s cross country team, kicked off his collegiate athletic career in the Western Illinois University Early Bird Invitational.

Sexton was the fifth member of the Leathernecks’ men’s cross country team to cross the finish line, placing 23rd overall with a time of 20:16. His average mile time was clocked at 5:26.

The Leathernecks scored 71 team points, placing third in team standings. Augustana University won the invitational championship with 29 points.

Sexton earned numerous accolades during his high school distance running career. He was named to the all-conference cross country team each of his four years at Highland, 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 this May.Sexton was a two-time recipient of KCII’s Hedge Above Lawncare Athlete of the Week.

The Leatherneck cross country teams return to race competition this Friday, running in the Illinois State Invitational in Normal, Illinois.