Bates College junior Justin Easter of Jay, Maine, finished 19th out of 215 runners Nov. 17 at the NCAA Division III cross country championships at Augustana College, earning his first All-America honor in cross country and the third overall in his career.

Easter finished the five-mile course in a lifetime best 24:43. Running near the 30th position after four miles, he ran 4:41 in the final mile to improve nearly 15 spots. “Justin ran a fantastic race,” said head coach Al Fereshetian. “The conditions were difficult, around 70 degrees. That made his peformance all the more impressive.”

Easter was the fourth runner from New England to finish the race and the ninth junior. His previous best finish at the NCAAs was in 37th place last year.

Bates College junior Justin Easter of Jay, Maine, finished 19th out of 215 runners Nov. 17 at the NCAA Division III cross country championships at Augustana College, earning his first All-America honor in cross country and the third overall in his career.

Easter finished the five-mile course in a lifetime best 24:43. Running near the 30th position after four miles, he ran 4:41 in the final mile to improve nearly 15 spots. “Justin ran a fantastic race,” said head coach Al Fereshetian. “The conditions were difficult, around 70 degrees. That made his peformance all the more impressive.”

Easter was the fourth runner from New England to finish the race and the ninth junior. His previous best finish at the NCAAs was in 37th place last year.