The Wayne State College men’s and women’s cross country teams completed their seasons Saturday, Nov. 19 at the NCAA central regional in Joplin, Missouri.   

The men’s team placed 26 out of 30 teams with their top runner being Brandon Mundorf. He finished in place 49 out of 209 runners with a time of 30:48 to lead the Wildcats. Titus Kiptoo would be the next Wildcat runner crossing the finish line at place 137 and with a time of 32:34.  

Abe Schroeder rounded out the top 3 for the team in place 150 with a time of 32:54. The top three teams at the men’s regional advancing to the Division 2 national tournament were Missouri Southern State University, University of Nebraska at Kearney and Augustana University.  

The women’s cross country team placed similar to the men finishing 27 out of 36 teams. Their top runner was Kelsey Larsen who finished at 125 out of 233 runners for a time of 23:24, improving on her time of 25:10 at last year’s regional. Kylie Pachta would follow Larsen 10 seconds later with a time of 23:34 at place 135.  

Lindsey Stuckey rounded out the top 3 as she finished in 147 running a time of 23:47. The top three teams at the women’s regional advancing to the national tournament were Augustana University, Pittsburg State and Minnesota State University.  

The Division 2 national tournament will be held in Seattle, Washington on Dec. 2. The defending champion for the men’s tournament is the Grand Valley State Lakers. The women’s defending champion is the Adams State Grizzlies.