SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Three school records fell this morning in South Dakota, as both Hillcat Cross Country teams put on a show at Yankton Trail Park, the site of the 2026 NCAA Central Region Championships.
The 18th-ranked women's cross country team secured first place out of 20 teams in the Women's 6K race, finishing with a total of 81 points and setting a new school record with a top-five average time of 21:22. This marks the Cats' second first-place finish of the season. Black Hills State finished second with 86 points, followed by Dordt and No. 23 Nebraska-Kearney, who tied for third with 103 points. Host Augustana (S.D.) rounded out the top five with 115 points.
Amaya Grant led the way in her second race representing the Red and Navy. The Cushing native finished fifth overall with a time of 21:01.5, which was a personal best and a school record. She was closely followed by
Kaylee Nay, who finished 12th with a personal best of 21:14.6.
Emily Cruz also achieved a personal best, placing 16th with a time of 21:23.3. Other finishes included
Amy Morefield (24th, 21:33.6),
Brooklyn Garafola (27th, 21:36.5, personal best),
Bianca Scott (29th, 21:41.7, personal best),
Sisely Mitchell (49th, 22:12.9, personal best) and
Abigail Harding (87th, 23:01.6).
On the men's side, the team placed sixth out of 18, totaling 144 points and posting a top-five average time of 25:02, which also set a school record. No. 19 Washburn won the meet with 54 points, followed by No. 30 Nebraska-Kearney (62 points), No. 14 Augustana (67 points), Minnesota State Moorhead (122 points) and Dordt (129 points).
Thomas Kubala led the men, finishing fourth overall with a time of 24:22.5. The Conroe, Texas, native's time was the second-best in school history, behind Rogers State Hall of Famer Baylor Harvey.
Cade McCall secured a personal best with a time of 25:01.6, finishing 26th. Other significant contributions came from
Jack Morgan (31st, 25:06.5, personal best),
Clint Stapleton (34th, 25:08.5, personal best),
Ethan Banks (55th, 25:30.6, personal best),
Lee Davis (58th, 25:32.4, personal best), and
Adam Sium (78th, 25:47.2, personal best).
The Hillcats will return to action on Oct. 10 at the John Brown Invitational in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. The men will begin at Pollard's Field at 8 a.m., followed by the women at 8:45 a.m.
Women 6K | 1st of 20 | 81 Points | 21:22 Top 5 Average Time (School Record)
Individual Results
5.
Amaya Grant - 21:01.5 (School Record & Personal Best)
12.
Kaylee Nay – 21:14.6 (Personal Best)
16.
Emily Cruz – 21:23.3 (Personal Best)
24.
Amy Morefield – 21:33.6
27.
Brooklyn Garafola – 21:36.5 (Personal Best)
29.
Bianca Scott – 21:41.7 (Personal Best)
49.
Sisely Mitchell – 22:12.9 (Personal Best)
87.
Abigail Harding – 23:01.6
Men 8K | 6th of 18 | 144 Points | 25:02 Top 5 Average Time (School Record)
Individual Results
4.
Thomas Kubala - 24:22.5 (Second Best Time in School History)
26.
Cade McCall - 25:01.6 (Personal Best)
31.
Jack Morgan - 25:06.5 (Personal Best)
34.
Clint Stapleton – 25:08.5 (Personal Best)
55.
Ethan Banks - 25:30.6 (Personal Best)
58.
Lee Davis - 25:32.4 (Personal Best)
78.
Adam Sium - 25:47.2 (Personal Best)
