Enduring high winds and less than desirable course conditions, the College of the Ozarks Cross Country teams competed in their final meet before NCCAA Nationals. The Lady Bobcats continued their strong season Saturday in St. Louis with a first-place finish at the University of Health, Sciences, and Pharmacy Fall Classic. The Bobcats also turned in a solid performance finishing in fourth place overall.

The Lady Cats placed four runners in the top 10 with Emily Staal leading the pack. Her time of 19:06.42 was good for third place overall. Teammate Abigayle Money finished just behind Staal in fourth with a time of 19:16.51. Rebecca Loya and Janelle Staal rounded out the Lady Cat top 10 finishes with times of 20:01.01 (seventh place) and 20:15.21 (ninth place) respectively. Trinity Sadosky recorded her best time of the season and a top 20 finish, crossing the line in 15th place with her time of 20:39.78. Lauren Cowden crossed the line at 22:01.51 and teammates Gracie Gatton (22:30.98), Naomi Foskett(24:01.08), and Jacque O’Harver (25:46.34) rounded out the field for the Lady Cats.

The Bobcats also competed well in their 8k race, and several runners finished in the top 20. Tanner Bailey continued his strong freshman campaign with a third-place finish overall. His time of 26:55.90 led the Bobcats and teammate Janvier Irokoze (27:25.48) was not far behind crossing the finish line in seventh place. Cole Chafin’s time of 28:41.15 landed him in 19th place to round out the Bobcat top 20 finishers. The Bobcat freshmen continue to build on their solid season with Ethan Lollman recording a time of 29:19.91, Drew Rose crossing the line in 29:27.23, Logan Fraker finishing with a time of 30:06.9, and Daniel Chupp recording a time of 30:24.13. Eric Burns (30:28.45), Alex Frizzell (32:11.28), a personal best time of 32:57.24 by Hunter McKinney, and Ian Hearns time of 35:04.41 rounded out the Bobcat field.

The Bobcats now set their sights on the NCCAA National meet, which will be held in Joplin November 11.