JOPLIN, Mo. — The Missouri Southern cross country teams turned in strong performances at the 37th Annual Missouri Southern Stampede, with the women claiming the team title and the men finishing second at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course.
The women finished first as a team with 43 points, led by Ruth Chemutai's individual victory. Chemutai crossed the finish line in 17:04.41 to win the race and set a personal record. Viola Johanson also recorded a PR, finishing sixth in 17:45.00, while Lilah Genel placed seventh in 17:54.77.
Isabella Frost finished 12th in 18:08.33 to round out the Lions' scoring five, while Hailey Nelson placed 17th in 18:22.95. Abbey Brackenbury finished 21st in 18:31.04 and Kyla Weems followed in 25th at 18:34.16.
The men finished second as a team with 77 points. Kelby Conner led the Lions with an eighth-place finish in 24:44.68, setting a personal record. Chase Sorrell followed in 10th at 24:54.87, with Kelton Sorrell finishing 11th in 24:56.94.
Michael Kershaw placed 24th in 25:21.73 and Caleb Leach finished 26th in 25:24.46, with both runners recording personal records. Brandon Hammett also set a PR, finishing 45th in 25:51.40.
In total, the Lions recorded numerous personal records throughout the meet, including PRs from McKenna Hood, Olivia Cole, Marissa Newman and Camryn Gildea on the women's side and Gabriel Rodriguez, Trevin Smith, William Carlson and Landon Fawcett on the men's side.
Women's Team – 1st place – 43 points
Ruth Chemutai – 1st place - 17:04.41 PR
Viola Johanson – 6th place - 17:45.00 PR
Lilah Genel – 7th place - 17:54.77
Isabella Frost – 12th place - 18:08.33
Hailey Nelson – 17th place - 18:22.95
Abbey Brackenbury – 21st place - 18:31.04
Kyla Weems – 25th place - 18:34.16
Ava Power – 29th place - 18:50.07
Rylee Simons – 50th place - 19:19.04
McKenna Hood – 63rd place - 19:34.71 PR
Olivia Cole – 101st place - 20:10.52 PR
Marissa Newman – 138th place - 20:46.24 PR
Camryn Gildea – 151st place - 20:57.52 PR
Hadley Goins – 161st place - 21:07.22
Rylee Boyes – 174th place - 21:24.28
Men's Team – 2nd place – 77 points
Kelby Conner – 8th place - 24:44.68 PR
Chase Sorrell – 10th place - 24:54.87
Kelton Sorrell – 11th place - 24:56.94
Michael Kershaw – 24th place - 25:21.73 PR
Caleb Leach – 26th place - 25:24.46 PR
Brandon Hammett – 45th place - 25:51.40 PR
Carson King – 51st place - 25:59.59
Gabriel Rodriguez – 68th place - 26:19.43 PR
Trevin Smith – 87th place - 26:45.29 PR
William Carlson – 116th place - 27:13.34 PR
Landon Fawcett – 155th place - 28:08.08 PR
