By Taylor Starr
The McPherson College men’s and women’s cross-country teams have had an impressive season so far as they head closer to the KCAC Championships. They have six meets before that point and there have been multiple top-30 finishes on both sides.
For their first meet, the Terry Masterson Twilight Cross Country Meet in Hutchinson, KS, the men’s team finished ninth with freshman Azariah Gonzalez leading the team. The women’s team finished eighth with Chloe Clevenger and Samantha Thompson leading the Lady Bulldogs and finishing in the top-25.
The cross-country teams next traveled to the Fort Hays Tiger Open in Hays KS to compete on the new course offered there. The women’s team took third, Clevenger finished fifth and Thompson finished seventh. With a time of 19:34, Clevenger became the fastest McPherson College freshman and now has the sixth best time in school history. Thompson is right behind her at seventh.
The men’s and women’s cross-country teams traveled to Missouri to take place in the Larry Young Invitational. The men ran an 8K for the first time this year and the women ran a 5K. The Lady Bulldogs finished fifth in this meet with Clevenger leading them once again with a time of 19:55, breaking 20 minutes and placing 12th. Thompson was not far behind with a 20:43, placing her at 21st. Gonzalez lead the men’s team to a ninth-place finish with a 27:06 and placed in the top-30. This was Gonzalez’s first 8K and with his debut time he ran himself into one of the top freshman times in school history.
Future Meet Dates
Sept. 29 the teams travel to Arkansas to participate in the Arkansas Chile Pepper Festival.
Oct. 7 is the home Carol Swenson XC Meet.
Oct. 21 the teams travel to Nebraska to run in the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic.
Nov. 4 is the KCAC Championships hosted by Southwestern College.
Nov. 18 is the NAIA National Championship.
