The College of the Ozarks Cross Country teams continue their progress toward the NCCAA Nationals and solid meet finishes are the norm. The Lady Cats brought home a second-place finish in the Haskell Indian Nations University Invitational on Saturday, and the Bobcats wrapped up a third-place finish.

Emily Staal continued her steady climb and finished in first place in the women’s 5k event. Her top time of 19:13.1 broke the tape at the finish line, with teammate Abigayle Money on her heels, with a time of 19:20.7 and a second-place finish. The Lady Cats finished second overall behind NCAA DII, Rockhurst. Also turning in a top ten finish, was Rebecca Loya, with a time of 19:46.3 and good for eighth place overall. Janelle Staal broke the top 20 with a 19th place finish and a time of 20:34.0. Trinity Sadosky recorded a time of 21:27.1, followed by Lauren Cowden(21:58.5), Gracie Gatton(22:34.3), Naomi Foskett(23:55.5), and Jacqueline O’Harver 24:38.7.

The Bobcats recorded multiple personal best times at the meet and finished in third place overall. After multiple top five finishes this season, Tanner Bailey broke through the tape in the men’s 8k with his time of 25:32.3. Bailey’s first place finish was followed by Janvier Irakoze in sixth place with a time of 27:01.2. Cole Chafin recorded a top 15 finish with his time of 27:30.0 and Drew Rose (28:51.9), Ethan Lollman(28:58.2), Logan Fraker(29:02.0), Daniel Chupp(29:04.2), Eric Burns(29:42.3), Alex Frizzell(31.32.3) and Ian Hearns(32:06.3) rounded out the Bobcat times. Bailey, Irakoze, Rose, Lollman, Fraker, Chupp, Burns, Hearns, and Frizzell all turned in personal best times for the season as the team builds toward the NCCAA Nationals meet.

The Bobcats and Lady Cats will have their final tune-up before Nationals at the NAIA Mid-States Classic, Saturday, October 22 in Winfield, Kansas.