LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Griffon men's and women's cross country teams competed at the Pre-Nationals meet Sunday morning at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas, with the men finishing 10th and the women placing 17th.

MoWest's men's squad totaled 244 team points in the 8K race, led by senior Pau Valderrama's seventh-place individual finish. The Griffon women finished with 485 points in the 6K race, with sophomore Jade Wickwire leading the way.

The meet provided both teams an opportunity to compete against regional and national competition on the same course that will host the 2026 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships.

Men's 8K Recap

Valderrama continued his impressive season, crossing the finish line in 24:20.3 to secure seventh place overall.

Freshman Hemistone Cheruiyot followed with a strong performance of his own, placing 20th overall with a time of 24:54.9 to give MoWest two runners inside the top 20.

Junior Bailey Taig finished 66th with a time of 25:40.0, while fellow junior Landon Fuller placed 78th in 25:52.2.

Freshman Westin Hess rounded out the Griffons' five scoring runners, finishing 115th overall with a time of 26:38.7.

Senior Ryan Ringenberg crossed the line in 120th place at 26:45.6, followed by junior Will Gessman in 132nd with a time of 27:04.2.

MoWest had 16 runners complete the men's 8K race, finishing 10th in the team standings with 244 points.

Women's 6K Recap

The Griffon women placed 17th overall with 485 team points, led by sophomore Jade Wickwire, who finished 102nd with a time of 23:47.1.

Sophomore Magdalena Jakubowska followed closely behind, crossing the finish line in 108th place with a time of 24:02.4.

Freshman Laila Munoz was the third Griffon to finish, placing 117th overall in 24:19.6.

Sophomore Meagan Smith finished 141st with a time of 24:51.5, while fellow sophomore Brianna DeBord rounded out MoWest's five scoring runners in 142nd place with a time of 24:52.6.

Freshman Abi Teeter placed 148th in 25:08.3, followed by fellow freshman Jenna O'Neill in 150th with a time of 25:16.2.

Up Next

The Griffons return home Saturday, Oct. 24, to host the Griffon Open at the Griffon Cross Country Course in St. Joseph, Missouri. The women's 5K race is scheduled for 10 a.m., followed by the men's 8K at 10:45 a.m.

The meet will serve as MoWest's final competition before the MIAA Cross Country Championships.