The College of the Ozarks men’s and women’s cross-country teams made the trip to Joplin over the weekend for the Missouri Southern Stampede.  With a large number of teams and a lot of talented runners hitting the course, this meet was primed to be a good measuring stick for both groups.  In the 5k race, the Lady Bobcats finished third overall with a total time of 1:41:20. The Bobcats’ 8k time of 2:24:14 was good for a seventh-place team finish.  Both teams were able to gain valuable experience as they look to future meets and eventually NCCAA Nationals.

After an early morning ride to Joplin, the Lady Cats hit the course first with an 8 AM start. The 5k race would pit the Lady Cats against a solid field.  Abigayle Money set the pace for the Lady Cats, turning in a time of 19:32 and a ninth-place finish.  Janelle Staal recorded a time of 19:56 in 13th.  Emily Staal finished in the top 20 with a time of 20:13. The steady times for the rest of the Lady Cats, (Rebecca Loya – 20:36, Trinity Sadosky – 21:00, Jacque O’Harver – 21:25, Naomi Foskett – 21:32) secured the 3rd place team finish. 

The men’s 8k race followed and the Bobcats also faced a talented field.  Janvier Irakoze (5th) and Garrett Pierce (10th) paced the Bobcats with top ten finishes.  Irakoze led the way for the Bobcats and posted a time of 26:35. Pierce was not far behind his teammate and recorded a time of 26:57.  Wesley Moore (29:08), Cole Chafin (29:25), and Spencer Dyck (32:06) rounded out the Bobcat times for the 7th place finish in the meet.

The Bobcats and Lady Cats will head to Fayetteville, AR on Saturday, October 2, to compete in the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival.