NAIA Mid-States @ Southwestern

The McPherson College men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the NAIA Mid-State Classic Saturday morning. The Bulldog men finished 17th of 22 teams, while the women place 20th of 22 in the annual event hosted by Southwestern College.

The meet consisted of over 170 runners for 22 teams.

Colorado College won the men’s team title with 125 points, barely edging the Wayland Baptist Pioneers, who finished with 126 points. Sophomore Silas Kisorio of Oklahoma Christian University won the individual men’s title with an 8k time of 24:50.86.

Freshman Kyle Smith was the first Bulldog to cross the finish line at 28:01.70 (89th place), followed closely by fellow freshman Mike Baxter at 28:08.68.

Sophomore David Perry (167th, 30:37.62), junior Matt Brown (191st, 32:18.08), freshman Dan Meibaum (204th, 34:32.43), freshman Fred Miller (208th, 35:59.70), senior Zach Dowling (212th, 37:14.31) and freshman David Johnson (215th, 40:34.08) as ran for McPherson.

On the women’s side, Kansas Wesleyan University won the overall team title. The individual women’s title went to Francine Nzilampa as she completed the course in 17:41.29.

Sophomore Katie Logan was the top finisher for the Bulldogs. Logan finished in 89th place with a time of 21:44.95, the 18th fastest women’s 5k time in McPherson College history. Sophomore Kati Beam and freshman Torey Fry were the next to finish for McPherson. Beam finished in a time of 22:39.85, while Fry finished at 22:56.62.

Sophomore Krissa Fuentes (133rd, 23:09.00) and junior Katey Taylor (155th 25:26.80) also competed for the Bulldogs.

The KCAC Championships are scheduled for November 7in Wichita. Winners at the KCAC meet will receive the automatic bid to the NAIA National cross country meet.