Results

Hays, Kan. - The Southwest Baptist University women's cross country team has claimed their second ever MIAA Championship by winning the MIAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning. The Bearcats collected 39 team points, besting Missouri Southern by 14 points to claim the title. On the men's side, the Bearcats took home 2nd place, finishing only 8 points behind MIAA Champion Nebraksa-Kearney.

Katherine Sitzes continues her strong season by winning the 2015 MIAA Cross Country Championships Individual Title by finishing the 6,000 meter race in a time of 21:26.20. Elizabeth Luckel finished runner-up in the race, taking 2nd place in a time of 21:47.00 while Mary Carr also registered a top five finish by taking 5th in a time of 22:22.50. Ashley Lawson joins Sitzes, Luckel, and Carr by earning All-MIAA honors by taking 8th place in a time of 22:32.10. Next to cross the finish line for the Bearcats was Alexis Fritz who took 23rd in a time of 23:28.30, followed closely by Briana Watson who took 25th in a time of 23:33.60. Katelyn Evans took home 28th (23:46.60), Rachel Wheeler 30th (23:49.80), and Emily Cumpton 57th (25:12.00).

On the men's side, Cody Troy Smith was the top SBU finisher earning All-MIAA honors with a 7th place finish in a time of 24:54.90 on the 8,000 meter course. Also earning All-MIAA honors was Drew Cargill who finished 8th in a time of 24:56.60. Luke Karamitros earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors with a 16th place finish in a time of 25:18.80, while Jacob Burch also earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors with a 17th place finish in a time of 25:19.10. Next to cross the finish line was Jeremy Inman, taking 23rd place in a time of 25:34.90 and Thomas Chabrecek finished 29th in time of 25:52.20. Also competing for SBU were Derek Showler (42nd; 26:16.60), Max Robinson (63rd; 27:01.70), Ryan Pate (65th; 27:05.90), and Tucker Seise (74th; 27:30.40).

"Today was a great day for SBU," head coach Corey McElhaney stated. "They represented the University with class and character. I am so proud of the way we competed today. Now we are even more excited for regionals in two weeks."

The Bearcats will continue action on Saturday, November 7 when they travel to Joplin, Missouri for the NCAA Central Regional Championships.