Women's Cross Country | 9/22/2018 7:30:00 PM

The McPherson College cross country team made the short trip south to North Newton on Saturday for the Muthama-Rogers Invitational hosted by Bethel College and came away with solid performances by both the men's and women's teams on the Threshers' rolling course.

"I was very pleased with how both teams came out and handled their races after a tough week of practice," commented Bulldog head coach Cameron Magnall.  "Both squads ran some great races that will give us a benchmark for where we need to be in five weeks on the same course for the KCAC Championships."

Leading the Bulldog women was Aryana Archuleta (JR, Sacramento, Calif., Pleasant Grove HS/American River CC) who ran with the secondary pack for the majority of the race before finishing 13^th overall and seventh among KCAC runners with a time 20:22.57.

Samantha Nelson (JR, Clearfield, Utah, Clearfield HS/Weber State) and LeaAnn Myers (JR, Loveland, Colo., Mountain View HS) came in next in 26^th and 27^th followed by Rachel Foreman (JR, Holcomb, Kan.) in 38^th.  Cailey Cornett (FR, Lindsborg, Kan., Smoky Valley HS) rounded out the McPherson scorers with her 44^th place finish.  Also competing for the McPherson women was Alyssa Wilson (SO, Lukachukai, Ariz., Navajo Preparatory, New Mex.).

#19 nationally ranked and KCAC favorite University of Saint Mary was led by individual winner Kailtyn Shoemaker's 18:26.08 and placed five women in the top 10, but still just barely held off Benedictine (Kan.) for the women's team title by one point, 29-30.  McPherson finished sixth in the team race after being edged out of fifth place by Sterling by three points.

Jerod Fuller (SR, Polk City, Fla., Lakeland Christian) led the McPherson men with his 22^nd place finish in 28:05.17.  Jadin Fleming (FR, Castle Rock, Colo., Castle View HS), in 30^th, finished at the front of a trio of Bulldogs followed by Kevin Boeckman (SO, Wamego, Kan.) and Cole Hinton (JR, Wathena, Kan., Highland (Kan.) CC) in 32^nd and 33^rd.  Jesse Freeman (SR, Castle Rock, Colo., Castle View HS) rounded out McPherson's scorers with his 38^th place finish.  Pushers for the Bulldogs were Casey Zimmerman (SR, Allen, Tex.) and Thane Barta (SO, Anchorage, Alaska, Eagle River HS) who were followed by Guillermo Hernandez (FR, Hutchinson, Kan., Trinity Catholic HS) and Albert Wegener (JR, Kansas City, Kan., KC Lutheran HS). 

The men's race saw the same three teams at the top of team race as #9 nationally ranked University of Saint Mary ran away with the team title, placing eight runners in the top 10 for 22 points to easily turn back Benedictine, which received votes in the latest NAIA poll, and Dodge City CC, both of which placed a single runner among the first 10 finishers to break up the Spires' sweep.  The Bulldogs followed in fourth, 10 points ahead of Bethany.

"Our next few weeks will be spent putting in some hard work getting ready to race at the NAIA National Preview meet in Cedar Rapids, Iowa."

The Bulldogs will return to action on October 6 when they travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to preview the NAIA National Championships course at the Go Cedar Rapids Preview.  Following the NAIA Mid-States Classic at Winfield, Kan., on October 20, McPherson will return to the fan friendly North Newton course for the KCAC Championships on November 3.

McPherson Women:
13. Aryana Archuleta       20:22.57
26. Samantha Nelson      21:53.15
27. LeaAnn Myers             21:55.78
38. Rachel Foreman         23:49.30
44. Cailey Cornett            25:05.27
49. Alyssa Wilson              26:13.51
 
Women's Team results:

1. U of St Mary29
2. Benedictine30
3. Dodge City CC97
4. Avila99
5. Sterling133
6. McPherson136
7. Bethany200

 
McPherson Men:
22. Jerod Fuller                         28:05.17
30. Jadin Fleming                     29:00.38
32. Kevin Boeckman                29:16.37
33. Cole Hinton                        29:22.87
38. Jesse Freeman                   29:36.79
40. Casey Zimmerman            29:40.48
51. Thane Barta                        32:04.81
52. Guillermo Hernandez        32:05.35
58. Albert Wegener                 33:57.13
 
Men's Team results:

1. U of St Mary22
2. Benedictine51
3. Dodge City CC89
4. McPherson110
5. Bethany120