ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The University of Central Missouri Cross Country teams competed at the Griffon Open on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Griffon Cross Country Course in St. Joseph.  
 
The Mules posted their second consecutive top-five team finish of the 2026 campaign out of 12 teams, scoring 208 points in the 8k race.
 
Central Missouri had three top-50 finishers in sophomore Patrick Hardesty (36^th place, 26:36.90), Platte City, Mo. native Drake Keraus (43^rd place, with a personal-best time of 26:44.70), and freshman Dylan Guck (26:46.50).
 
Sophomore Sterling Holloman finished in 52^nd with a personal-best time of 26:56.40, while Overland Park, Kan. native Drew Howell rounded out the scoring for the Mules with a time of 27:09.30 in 65^th.
 
The Rogers State Hillcats took the team title on the men's side, scoring 27 points, followed by Nebraska-Kearney (64 points), Pittsburg State (69 points), and Missouri Southern (72 points), finishing just above the Mules in fourth place.   
 
The Jens took 13th place out of 14 teams, scoring 400 points in the 5k race.
 
Freshman Annabelle Rutledge led the Jens with a 90^th-place finish with a personal-best time of 20:12.40, while California, Mo. native Kenzleigh Goans finished in a time of 20:29.60 in 100^th, and freshman Kenzie Maddox crossed the finish line at 20:57.60 in 112^th.
 
O'Fallon, Mo. native Kayli Cameron finished in 119^th with a time of 21:21.70, and freshman Teresa Jackson posted a time of 21:46.90 in 124th, rounding out the scoring for Central Missouri.   
 
Missouri Southern took home the team title on the women's side, scoring 43 points, while Southwest Baptist (54 points), Truman State (77 points), Washburn (130 points), and Nebraska-Kearney (134 points) rounded out the top five.  
 
Central Missouri returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 7, for the 2026 MIAA Championships, with the men's 8k race beginning at 10:00 a.m., and the women's 5k race to follow at 11:00 a.m. from the Griffon Cross Country Course in St. Joseph, Mo.