EMPORIA, Kan. (Nov. 3, 2018) - The first MIAA Championship of the 2018-19 season took place this morning in Emporia, Kan. Both men's and women's cross country competed for a conference crown. The Mules finished in eighth place among 11 teams while the Jennies were tenth in a 13 team field.
The Mules ran an 8K and scored 204 team points. All five scorers scored in the top-50, which is something only four other teams can say. UCM's total time was 2:16:35 and their average per runner was 27:19.
Nick Victor was the Mules top finisher and earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention by placing 19th, completing the course in 26:37.4. The next four scorers all ran close with each other, finishing just six places apart.
Jared Mentz took 47th place running 27:24.6 and
Alex Philipps was just inside the top-50 placing 49th in 27:28.2.
Isaac Calvert and
Ryan Skopec finished back-to-back in 52nd and 53rd place 27:31.2 and 27:33.5.
The Jennies actually finished in a tie for ninth place with Lindenwood with 253 points, but lost out on tiebreakers 3-2. Tiebreakers are determined by comparing in order the place finish of each of the five scoring members of the tied teams (1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, etc.). The team with the majority of winning comparisons shall be awarded the higher place. The Jennies total time was 2:02.57 and their average for the 6K race was 24:36.
Mariah Elmore was the top finisher for UCM in 29th place. She ran 23:35.8. The next three scorers all ran close.
Emma Bassford was second for UCM in 52nd place at 24:33.0,
Amy Marx two places behind Bassford in 54th place at 24:38.6 and
Kimberlee Sewester two places behind her in 56th place running 24:46.0.
Claire Myers finished the scoring for UCM running 25:23.6 and placing 80th overall.
Missouri Southern was the over men's team winner with 31 points. They had four individuals in the top-10, including overall winner Gidieon Kimutai, who ran 25:17.7. For the women, Pittsburg State was the team champion with 26 points. They took the first three individual places with Jordan Puvogel the individual champion running 21:51.3.
Central Missouri will race again in two weeks at the NCAA Central Region Championship. The race is held Saturday, Nov. 17 in Joplin, Mo. and is hosted by Missouri Southern.
