WINFIELD, Kan. – On Saturday, the Southwestern College men's and women's cross-country team were the hosts of the 2022 KCAC Cross Country Championships at Kansas Veterans Home of Winfield. The 8K men's race (10:15 a.m.) and the 5K women's race (11:15 a.m.) started early in the morning with chilly air and yielded positive results for the Moundbuilders, as each SC team finished fourth out of their respective 12-team packs.

"I thought both the men's and women's teams ran with a lot of guts and heart today," said head cross country coach Carter Benge. "On their home course, the Builders really elevated their game, as both the men's and women's teams turned in their fastest team averages of the year."

In the opening race of the day, the men's 8K, the Builders were led by the outstanding performance of Ablel Gebreselase. He finished in 13^th place overall with a time of 25:57.9. His efforts clinched him All-KCAC Honorable Mention plaudits, as well as an individual berth into the NAIA Men's Cross Country Championships on Friday, November 18.

"In the men's race, we had a solid front pack that moved up well throughout the race," continued Benge. "We were led by multiple-time national qualifier, Ablel Gebreselase, who punched his ticket to the cross country national championship again after having to take almost three weeks off running over the past month due to injury."

Meseret Elgin crossed the finish line in second for the Builders with a time of 26:26.0. He finished in 22^nd place for SC. Only a few seconds behind him was Mason Blochowiak who crossed the line at 26:47.4 which put him as the third harrier to cross for the men's squad in 29^th, overall. Austin Schaeffer clocked in at 27:03.7, placing him in 35^th for the race. He was just under two seconds faster than Ian Doss who crossed the finish line with a time of 27:05.1. The time from Doss was a new PR, as he boosted the squad as their final counting finisher.

"A special shout out should also be given to freshman, Ian Doss," said Benge. "He ran a strong PR today to round out the top five scoring for the Builders, and helped the squad lock down their fastest team average of the season. With three freshmen running that well in the top five for us this year, we have huge potential for growth over the next few years."

Andrew Mitchell placed 50^th for the men with a time of 27:58.3, which came close to his PR showing. Luis Bellor-Gardner finished the race at 28:41.0. He placed 61^st, while also achieving his best time of his career at the collegiate level. He improved his personal-best time by four seconds. Another Builder who ran his personal-best clip was Jamell Sanchez, posting a time of 30:25.6. He improved his time by five seconds on Saturday. Nathan Kaimathiri came up with his best time of his career, as well, notching a 30:23.3 for Southwestern.

"I finally want to mention the fact that we had multiple runners further down in the pack with season bests and lifetime PR's," Benge commented. "Each one of the guys truly pushed themselves to new heights!"

The men's squad averaged a 26:39 for the event, which is their best time over the course of the year. The squad was at their strongest when it mattered the most, showing their drive to be the best.

In the women's 5K, Daegiona Wilson compiled a personal-record time of 19:24.4, which placed her in 14^th for the event. With the finish, she earned All-KCAC Honorable Mention honors for the season. She was the top finisher for the Builders, and will wait on the possibility of earning an at-large bid to Nationals in a couple of weeks. Over the course of the year, Wilson has eclipsed personal-best showings on three separate occasions, impressing all of the Builder faithful with her tenacity.

"In the women's race, Daegiona Wilson ran a lifetime PR and battled to 14^th place in the conference and a potential national qualifying spot," continued Benge.

The next harrier to cross the finish for SC was Kierra Jensen. She also posted her personal-best time with a 20:12.5 clip, which put her in 23^rd place for the meet. Kacie Lancaster was the third Builder finisher, clocking in at 21:09.1, which was her best time this season for Southwestern. She came in 35^th place and was followed by Kentayshija Pruitt who earned her new PR time of 21:14.4 (36^th). Kirstin Hackney was the fifth SC runner to cross the finish, as she clocked a 21:25.0 clip and placed 40^th in the event.

"Wilson was followed closely by the top-20 score of Kierra Jensen, who also ran a lifetime PR," Benge stated. "I was especially impressed by the running of super senior Kacie Lancaster, who stepped up in her final cross country race and led a tight pack of three Moundbuilders on her way to running a significant season-best time. This helped boost the Builders to their highest KCAC finish in the past few years."

Lilith Pricer and Anna-Lise Kirton were the final Builders who crossed the finish line at 22:55.2. & 27:05.3 putting them in 61^st & 82^nd place.

The women also posted their best average of the year, clocking a 20:41 as a squad. The time put them in fourth place, which outshined the KCAC's preseason prediction of a sixth-place finish for the Builder women.

For the two squads, there will not likely be any additional postseason festivities, sans for Gebreselase and possibly Wilson. Wilson's time was strong enough to require consideration from the competition committee which selects the at-large berths for the NAIA Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships.

--buildersports.com--