Men's Cross Country | 9/18/2023 12:46:00 PM
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The McPherson College Bulldog Cross Country team got an opportunity to preview the 2024 NAIA National Cross Country Course on Friday at the Larry Young Invitational hosted by Columbia College. This meet saw 17 NAIA schools from the Crossroads League, AMC, Heart of America, and KCAC Conferences, and a few schools from the NCAA Division II ranks.
The day started off with the women's team, who finished fifth place as a team. The women tied host Columbia College, but beat them in the tie-breaker to take fifth. Freshman Chloe Clevenger (19:55) led the Bulldogs with a 12th place finish and second straight meet running inside the 20 minute barrier. Samantha Thompson (20:43) finished 21st, and Brooke Krapes (21:54) ran a season's best placing 33rd. Amari Robb (22:13) ran her best race as a Bulldog, finishing 35th, knocking an astonishing 55 seconds off her previous best. Johanna Walker (24:36) finished off the McPherson scoring, finishing 57th place.
The men took the course next as they finished ninth. This meet was the first race for the men at their championship distance of 8000 meters. For the third meet in a row, freshman Azariah Gonzalez (27:06) led the Bulldogs, finishing just inside the top-30. For his debut, it places him 28th all-time at McPherson College, and one of the top freshman times in school history. Paul Choi (28:14) was the next finisher, placing 55th with a lifetime best time, while Reagan Thai (28:53) finished 68th, Cody Kuss (29:33) placed 76th, and Isaac Hale (29:55) finished off the team scoring.
The XC teams will take the upcoming week off from racing and will train for the 35th Annual University of Arkansas Chile Pepper Festival, one of the most competitive races in the country. That meet will be Friday, September 29th. Women race at 3:15pm, and the men race at 3:45pm. Races is held at the University of Arkansas Cross Country Course in Fayetteville, Ark.
