(Lewiston, ID) – LC State Men’s Cross Country made the jump into the NAIA’s top 10 on Thursday after a strong showing in Missouri, while the Warrior women maintained a spot in the top 15. The latest NAIA Cross Country ratings have the LC State men at No. 9 and the women at No. 15.
The Warrior men turned in a strong showing at the competitive Gans Creek Classic on Sept. 27 where they placed in the top four among NAIA teams. Kobe Wessels led the way for LC State in the top 15 of NAIA runners and was rewarded with Cascade Conference Runner of the Week honors. The Warriors have shown their depth throughout the first three races with varying top-five placements. Carter Gordon and Conner May have been consistently in the top five for LC State, along with Wessels.
LC State finished ahead of then-No. 5 Cumberlands (Ky.) in Missouri and tied in points with then-No. 6 Taylor (Ind.).
Conference foe College of Idaho held steady at No. 4 and Eastern Oregon fell to No. 10. Corban (Ore.) stayed at No. 23 and Southern Oregon is receiving votes.
The LC State women have not raced since the last poll but will be in action this weekend at the Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational in Salem, Ore. Though young, the Warrior women have shown that a bright future is in sight for LC State behind freshmen standouts Lily Bennet and Damaris Kibiwot. Upperclassmen Grace Tiegs and Abigail Shumaker have also been consistent in helping lead the young team, along with junior transfer Camille Ussher.
C of I held its No. 6 spot on the women’s side, as did SOU at No. 9. EOU is receiving votes in the rating.
UP NEXT
Warrior Cross Country is in action on Saturday in Salem, Ore., at the Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational. A small group of LC State men will race at 9:30 a.m. and the women will start at 10:20 a.m.