JOPLIN, Mo. – Rogers State men's and women's cross country competed at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Central Regional Championships at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course on Saturday.
In the women's 6k race, the Hillcats finished eighth with an average time of 21:46 and 217 points, which is the best finish in the regional championship in school history. This finish put them as the fourth-best MIAA school in the race.
Katie Byrd led the Hillcats with a 23rd place finish with a new school record time of 21:22.5. Her mark surpasses the previous record of 22:01.2 set by Jillian Skalicky last season in the Central Region Championships. Madison Bradshaw finished in 38th with a new personal best time of 21:39.5, which is good for the second best time in school history. Brianna DeAngelis finished 47th with a new personal best time of 21:51.5, which is good for third best in school history. Tori Wood finished 54th with a new personal best time of 22:00.0, which is good for fourth best in school history. Gloria Butts finished 55th with a new personal best time of 22:00.6, which is good for fifth best in school history. Riley Coleman finished 75th with a new personal best time of 22:30.2, which is good for the ninth best time in school history. Ashley Riggenbach rounded out the squad in 91st with a new personal best time of 22:45.6.
In the men's 10k, the Hillcats finished 17th with an average time of 31:34 and 443 points.
Julius Oheim led RSU with a 55th place finish and a new personal best time of 30:53.1, which is good for the second best time in school history. Blake Feron finished 78th with a time of 31:20.8 with a new personal best time of 31:20.8, which is good for the third best time in school history. Eric Ragan finished 82nd with a new personal best time of 31:28.3, which is good for the fourth best time in school history. Kory Wilson finished 112th with a new personal best time of 32:02.3, which is good for seventh best in school history. Caden Goss finished 118th with a new personal best time of 32:10.5. Jon Biersdorfer finished 131st with a new personal best time of 32:23.7. Hunter Hart finished 140th with a new personal best time of 32:36.5.
With the women ranking No. 29 in the most recent USTFCCCA National Rankings and No. 8 in the Central Region Rankings, they will wait to see if they have done enough to earn a bid to the NCAA Division II National Championships, which will be announced on Monday, Nov. 21.
