ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The MoWest men's and women's cross country teams are set to compete in the 2026 MIAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 7, at the Griffon Cross Country Course in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The championships, hosted by Northwest Missouri State University, will take place on the Griffons' home course, giving both MoWest squads an opportunity to compete on familiar terrain against conference competition.

The men's 8K championship race is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the women's 6K championship race at 11:00 a.m. The awards presentation will take place at noon.

Griffon Men Prepare for Championship 8K

MoWest will send 10 runners to Saturday's men's championship race, led by Pau Valderrama and Hemistone Kipngetich Cheruiyot, who have both delivered standout performances throughout the 2026 season.

Valderrama has highlighted the Griffons' fall campaign with several impressive finishes, including an individual championship at the Chile Pepper Festival on October 3, where he completed the 8K course in 24:02.8. He also earned MIAA Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week honors following his third-place finish at the Southern Stampede on September 19, recording a time of 24:10.93.

Cheruiyot opened the season by capturing the individual title at the Griffon Twilight on September 4, completing the men's 6K race in 19:35.80.

Joining Valderrama and Cheruiyot in the men's championship lineup are Bailey Taig, Landon Fuller, Jack Collins, Sam Shipp, Westin Hess, Ryan Ringgenberg, Angelo Baez-Mahr and Will Gessmann.

Griffon Women Ready for Conference Championships

The Griffon women will also feature 10 runners in Saturday's championship race as they look to build on their performances throughout the fall season.

Magdalena Jakubowska has been among the team's top performers this season, highlighted by a ninth-place individual finish at the Chile Pepper Festival on October 3. Jakubowska completed the women's 5K race in 19:00.8, helping MoWest secure a third-place team finish among 27 competing programs.

Joining Jakubowska in the women's championship lineup are Jade Wickwire, Laila Munoz, Meagan Smith, Jenna O'Neill, Abigail Teeter, Bethani Grove, Riley King, Bailey Cutler and Brianna DeBord.

Head Coach Sean Gosewisch on Saturday's Championships

"I never like to make predictions; we have to show up on the day and give it our all if we want to be anything better than middle of the pack. I believe we have the athletes capable of doing great things, and we are as ready as we can be. It is a matter of staying confident and making it count when the time comes. Getting to use our home course for the conference meet is always a nice bonus. We're looking forward to Saturday."

Championship Information

• Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026

• Location: Griffon Cross Country Course, St. Joseph, Mo.

• Host: Northwest Missouri State University

• Men's 8K Championship: 10:00 a.m.

• Women's 6K Championship: 11:00 a.m.

• Awards Presentation: 12:00 p.m.

• Parking: $15 on race day or $10 in advance