BISMARCK, N.D. — Wayne State College placed ninth in the women’s race and 11th in the men’s at the Northern Sun Conference Cross Country Championships Saturday morning at McDowell Dam.
Winona State topped two-time defending champion Augustana for the women's team title 38-57 with host University of Mary third at 84 points. Wayne State was ninth with 281 points.
Senior Kylie Pachta was the first Wildcat runner to cross the finish line, taking 58th out of a field of 144 runners with a time of 23:01 on the 6,000-meter course. Senior Lindsey Stuckey was next in 64th at 23:19.0 while senior Brooke Solomon took 66th at 23:19.5.
Senior Kelsey Larsen (23:22, 71st) and freshman Callie Kirchner, (23:57, 87th) , rounded out the top five Wildcat runners.
Also running for WSC were Madeline Kunz (24:03, 90th), Sydney Escritt (25:18, 115th), Meghan Cunningham (25:35, 121st), Taylor Thorp (25:58, 124th), Kendall Stone (26:45, 130th) and Maelee Beacom (27:05, 134th).
In men’s action, Augustana captured the team title for the 13th time in the last 14 years, edging Minnesota Duluth 56-60 with MSU Moorhead third at 96. Wayne State was 11th with 280 points.
Senior Titus Kiptoo crossed the line in a time of 25:41 to finish 33rd in a field of 124 runners. Sophomore Quentin Dreyer was next in 45th at 25:57 with senior Abe Schroeder taking 72nd overall at 26:51.
Other Wildcat finishers were Wakefield senior Gabe Peitz in 85th place at 27:11, junior Brandon Mitzel 97th at 27:29, freshman Brady Franzen 102nd in 27:39 and freshman Carter Roth taking 120th overall at 29:34.
Wayne State will conclude their season on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the NCAA Div. II Central Region Championships in Joplin, Mo.
