Coming off a strong overall showing at the Chile Pepper Festival, the Cross-Country Lady Cats and Bobcats traveled to Lawrence, Kansas to run in the Billy Mills Classic, hosted by Haskell Indian Nations University.

The Lady Cats took 3rd place in the 5k race, finishing with a team total of 1:40:38.14, just over three minutes from the first place Cottey College. The Lady Cats’ preparation was evident this weekend, as every participating runner ran a season best.  Seniors Rebecca Loya (2nd place) and Trinity Sadosky (5th place) led the team with an 18:48.58 and a 19:30.58 finish, respectively. Senior Sarah Alferink got closer to the sub-20-minute mark, posting a 20:19.57 finish. Freshman Emilie Zylstra improved upon her time with a 20:24.33 finish. Junior Gracie Gatton finished in 21:35.08, and Freshman Tia Bethards followed closely behind, crossing the line at 21:37.34. Sophomore Gracie Vestal (22:00.34) and Freshman Aryssa Speights (23:07.09) both improved on their season-best times, as well.

On the men’s side, the Bobcats also clocked a 3rd place finish in the 8k race with a team total of 2:19:59.31. Seven Bobcat runners posted season-best times. Leading the charge was Tanner Bailey (2nd place) with a 25:27.10 finish. Freshman Jack Lawson (14th place) continued his strong first year with a time of 27:40.40. Junior Drew Rose ran a time of 28:38.60 and Sophomore Gabe Whitman destroyed his season-best by almost two minutes, finishing in 28:54.80. Sophomore Caleb Fewin (29:18.40) and Junior Eric Burns (29:37.80) also set their season-best times. Junior Alex Frizzell posted a time of 29:40.40, and Freshman Cooper Miller (32:10.80) set a personal-best.

The Cross-Country squads will head to St. Louis, MO to compete in the UHSP Fall Classic on Saturday, October 19. This will be their last regular season meet before the Sooner Athletic Conference meet takes place on November 9.