COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Mules cross country posted a team time of 2:12:02.60 to finish in second place at the 2021 Gans Creek Classic at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course Friday, Oct. 1.

UCM is scheduled to return to action Friday, Oct. 8, at the Border Wars at Principia College in Elsah, Ill.

Junior Alex Kirk paced Central Missouri in the race, finishing fifth with an 8K time of 25:36.1, while Cooper Palmer also finished in the top-10, placing ninth at a personal best 26:06.2.

Blake Nichols secured a top-20 finish, running the 8K with a personal best 26:31.2 to finish 15th, with Brady Maher (26:52.2) and Aaron Westhoff (26:56.9) rounding out the Mules in the top-25 at 21st and 22nd, respectively.

St. Mary's (Kan.) ran away with the team title, posting a 2:06:45.40, while UCM was second and Missouri Western third (2:13:59.70).

St. Mary's Luke Skinner won the race with an 8K time of 24:56.5.