SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – College of the Ozarks men's cross country team competed at the 2026 John Brown Golden Eagle Invitational, highlighted by an outstanding performance from sophomore Nolyn Corder, who captured the individual championship in the men's 8K race.

Corder led the field of 86 finishers, crossing the finish line in an impressive 25:01.35 to claim first place overall. Averaging a 5:02 mile pace, Corder edged UA-Fort Smith's Evan Smith, who finished second in 25:05.28, by just under four seconds. His first-place performance provided a strong start for the Bobcats against a competitive field.

As a team, College of the Ozarks finished seventh overall with 163 points and a combined top-five time of 2:16:30.23. Host John Brown University claimed the team championship with 57 points, followed closely by Rogers State with 61 points and UA-Fort Smith with 110 points.

Junior Carson Knight was the second Bobcat across the finish line, placing 27th overall with a time of 26:38.09. Sophomore Ethan Howard followed in 56th place, clocking 28:09.38, while freshman Landon Jones finished 59th with a time of 28:14.19.

Freshman Cody Henderson rounded out the Bobcats' top five, finishing 65th overall in 28:27.21. Fellow freshman Michael Kincaid placed 74th with a time of 29:18.43, followed by Trayden Bailey in 78th at 30:01.49. Freshman Nate Van Foeken completed the College of the Ozarks lineup, finishing 79th in 30:11.85.

The Bobcats' top five runners combined for a time of 2:16:30.23, with a 3:25.86 spread between their first and fifth finishers.

College of the Ozarks Men's Individual Results – 8K

Lady Cats Finish Fourth at John Brown Golden Eagle Invitational Behind Goze’s Runner-Up Performance

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – The College of the Ozarks women's cross country team turned in a strong performance at the 2026 John Brown Golden Eagle Invitational, finishing fourth overall in the women's 6K race. The Lady Cats were led by senior Keena Goze, who earned an impressive runner-up finish against a field of 84 runners.

College of the Ozarks finished with a team score of 90 points and a combined top-five time of 2:00:01.92. Host John Brown University captured the team title with 43 points, followed by Rogers State (53) and UA-Fort Smith (65). The Lady Cats finished ahead of Evangel (104), Friends (143), Mid-America Christian (209), and Science & Arts (256).

Goze continued to lead the Lady Cats with an outstanding second-place finish, completing the 6K course in 22:22.99 while averaging a 6:00-per-mile pace. Goze finished just 22.90 seconds behind individual champion Abigail Stucker of John Brown, who crossed the finish line in 22:00.09.

Junior Tia Bethards followed with another strong showing, placing 11th overall with a time of 23:47.51. Fellow junior Emilie Zylstra finished close behind in 14th place, crossing the line in 23:52.45. The trio gave the Lady Cats three runners among the top 15 finishers.

Freshman Ella Howard continued the scoring effort with a 29th-place finish in 24:34.69, while freshman Khloe Clemence rounded out the Lady Cats' top five, finishing 43rd overall in 25:24.26.

Freshman Emma Dixon placed 54th with a time of 26:06.11, followed by junior Aryssa Speights in 61st at 26:45.15. Senior Gracie Vestal finished 62nd in 27:01.73, while freshman Acacia Sorenson completed the race in 27:28.51 to place 67th.

The Lady Cats demonstrated solid depth throughout the competition, with three runners finishing in the top 15 and five placing among the top 43 competitors. Their fourth-place team finish highlighted a strong collective effort against a competitive field.

College of the Ozarks Women's Individual Results