JOPLIN, Mo. – Rogers State women's cross country put together their best ever performance at the NCAA Central Region Championships with a fifth place finish, while the men finished in 15th place on Saturday.
"I am so proud of both our men and women," said Head Coach
Matt Kennedy. "The women continued to add to what has been a historic season with our best finish at this event. With the way we have been competing this season, I believe this team has earned and deserves a spot in the National Championship meet!"
In the women's 6k race, the Hillcats finished in fifth place with 137 points. They were the second highest MIAA team behind Pittsburg State, who finished second.
Katie Byrd and
Jordan Wallace earned All-Region honors for their performances.
Byrd led RSU in 10th place with a season-best time of 21:26.24, which was good enough for the second fastest time in school history. Wallace finished 22nd with a new personal best time of 21:45.84.
Cadence Cordova finished in 26th with a new personal best time of 21:51.68.
Ashley Riggenbach finished in 36th with a new personal best time of 21:59.40.
Rayna Kucharyski finished in 43rd with a new personal best time of 22:08.49.
Kaylee Nay finished in 60th with a new personal best time of 22:30.77.
Sisely Mitchell rounded out the scoring in 69th with a time of 22:39.57.
On the men's side, the Hillcats finished the 10k race in 15th with 396 points.
Nathanael Gibson led RSU in 45th place with a new personal best time of 31:47.41.
Tyler Colvin finished in 50th with a new personal best time of 31:51.71.
Cade McCall finished 90th with a time of 32:44.40.
Kyle Ginn finished in 108th with a new personal best time of 32:57.25. Jonanthan Mendez finished in 108th with a new personal best time of 32:57.25.
Casey Little finished in 135th with a new personal best time of 33:45.46.
Blake Feron rounded out the scoring in 166th with a season best time of 34:41.37.
With the fifth place finish, the Hillcat women will now wait to hear their names called on Monday and see if they have earned their first-ever berth to the NCAA National Championships on Saturday, Nov. 23 in Sacramento, Calif. at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex.
