Both Cross Country Teams Finish Second at Golden Eagle Invitational

Women collect third top-2 finish of 2026, men post best finish since 2023

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. — The Hillcat cross country teams both placed second at the Golden Eagle Invitational on Saturday at Pollards Field, with 11 personal bests set.

The women achieved their third top-two finish of 2026, scoring 53 points. Darcy Vineyard led the team with a third-place finish, completing the 6K in 22:41.49. Tehya Lang finished sixth with a personal best of 23:16.35. Other notable finishes included Audrey McElhaney in 13th (23:51.15), Abigail Harding in 16th (23:59.89) and Ryann Barber in 17th place with a personal best of 24:09.31.

The men secured their best finish since their first-place victory in 2023, scoring 61 points in the 8K. Aidan Jimenez guided the team with a personal best of 25:58.69, finishing 10th overall. He was followed closely by Carter Gibson in 11th (26:00.44) and Tesfaye Lire in 12th (26:03.29), both also setting personal bests. Lewis Cross finished 16th, Trevor Hacker 17th, and Karsen Hennigh 18th, each contributing to the team's strong performance with personal bests.

RSU will return to action on Oct. 24 at the MWSU Cross Country Course for the MIAA Conference Preview in St. Joseph, Mo.

Men 8K | 2nd of 8 | 61 Points | Best Team Finish Since 2023
10th - Aidan Jimenez, 25:58.69 (Personal Best)
11th - Carter Gibson, 26:00.44 (Personal Best)
12th - Tesfaye Lire, 26:03.29 (Personal Best)
16th - Lewis Cross, 26:09.29 (Personal Best)
17th - Trevor Hacker, 26:09.32 (Personal Best)
18th - Karsen Hennigh, 26:17.57 (Personal Best)
24th - Luke Worthington, 26:28.05 (Personal Best)
29th - Colton Storm, 26:46.12 (Personal Best)
33rd - Tanner Jenks, 26:58.98
36th - Noah Laird, 27:12.13
39th - Cohen McIntosh, 27:21.39
41st - Riley Pauley, 27:24.05
46th - Josiah Long, 27:39.24 (Personal Best)
64th - Jaden Perry, 28:20.64

Women's 6K | 2nd of 8 | 53 Points | Third Top-2 Finish of 2026
3rd - Darcy Vineyard, 22:41.49
6th - Tehya Lang, 23:16.35 (Personal Best)
13th - Audrey McElhaney, 23:51.15
16th - Abigail Harding, 23:59.89
17th - Ryann Barber, 24:09.31(Personal Best)
27th - Kiera Blumhof, 24:32.45
31st - Stella Jones, 24:39.99 (Personal Best)
32nd - Chloe Grubbs, 24:42.09
35th - Kenzie Gilliam, 24:50.09 (Personal Best)
38th - Brielle Coons, 25:04.95
46th - Britt Hunter, 25:33.89 (Personal Best)
49th - Sarah Swofford, 25:40.31

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Players Mentioned

Karsen Hennigh: 6' 5"; Redshirt Freshman

Tanner Jenks: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Aidan Jimenez: 5' 10"; Junior

Tesfaye Lire: 6' 3"; Sophomore

Cohen McIntosh: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Riley Pauley: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Colton Storm: 6' 1"; Senior

Lewis Cross: Freshman

Carter Gibson: Freshman

Trevor Hacker: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Karsen Hennigh
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Freshman

Tanner Jenks
: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Aidan Jimenez
: 5' 10"; Junior

Tesfaye Lire
: 6' 3"; Sophomore

Cohen McIntosh
: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Riley Pauley
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Colton Storm
: 6' 1"; Senior

Lewis Cross
: Freshman

Carter Gibson
: Freshman

Trevor Hacker
: Freshman