Hosted by the University of Arkansas, the Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas is one of the premiere cross country meets in all levels. With 266 runners starting the men’s 8k event, and 242 runners in the Women’s 5k, the competition was sure to be intense. 

In the women’s 5k, Abigail Money continued to set the pace for the Lady Cats.  Her time of 19:34 was good for a 22nd place finish out of the 242 runners and helped lead the team to a 10th place finish out of 30 teams.  Emily Staal had another solid run recording a time of 20:02 and finishing 35th.  Rounding out the field for the Lady Cats, Janelle Staal recorded a time of 20:35 and teammate Rebecca Loya was right on her heels with a time of 20:35.08.Trinity Sadosky registered a time of 21:55, while Jacqui O’Harver came in with a time of 21:57, and Naomi Foskett finished with a time of 22:06.

In the packed field of 266 runners in the men’s 5k, Janvier Irakoze turned in an impressive run and finished 12th. His time of 26:20 helped lead the Bobcats to a 17th place overall finish in the field of 31 teams.  Garrett Pirce continues to be a mainstay for the Bobcats and finished 49th with a time of 27:29.  Cole Chafin turned in a time of 29:12 while teammate Wesley Moore recorded a time of 29:45. Spencer Dyck rounded out the Bobcat times with a 31:46.

The Bobcats and Lady Cats will compete this weekend at the Seminole Valley Stampede in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.