Sioux Falls, S.D. - Behind three All-Region performers, the Missouri Southern men's cross country team finished third at the Central Regional Championships hosted by Augustana and qualified for the 2013 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships.

Senior Jake Benton was the Lions top finisher on the day traversing the 10k course at Yankton Trail Park in a time of 31:58.47 to finish ninth overall and earn All-Region honors. Junior Adrian Todd also earned All-Region honors finishing 21st in a time of 32:28.32. Junior Eric Schott rounded out the All-Region performers for Southern as he finished 25th overall in a time of 32:36.01.

Junior Andrew Webster narrowly missed out on All-Region honors as he finished 27th overall in a time of 32:42.19. Junior Colton Wooldridge rounded out the scoring for the Lions as he finished 34th overall in a time of 32:54.08.

Also running for the Lions, sophomore Ryan Jackson finished 50th overall in a time of 33:30.01 while freshman William Rush finished 70th in a time of 33:51.35.

Southern finished third on the afternoon with 116 points, narrowly missing second by a single point as Central Missouri ended up second with 115 points. Augustana claimed the team crown with 37 points as all seven runners who scored earned All-Region honors. Rounding out the top ten after Southern was Nebraska-Kearney, Sioux Falls, Southwest Baptist, Fort Hays St., Harding, Mary (N.D.) and Pittsburg State. Paul Yak of Augustana was the individual champion as he finished in a time of 31:13.99.

The Lions next run at the 2013 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships held in Spokane, Wash. on November 23.