Cross Country | 10/23/2021 4:29:00 PM

WAYNE, Neb. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead men's cross country team finished eighth while the women finished ninth at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championships which took place Saturday in Wayne, Neb.
 
The MSUM men finished with 243 points. Augustana won the meet with a perfect 15 score.
 
Senior Drew Mears paced the Dragon men, running 26:45.91 to finish in 34th placve. Sophomore Braxton Bruer was 45th in 27.09 while sophomore Adnew Stueven was 52nd in 27:22.5. Sophomore Connor Hayes was 53rd in 27:22.63. Freshman Joseph Espinoza in 28:12 while freshman Derek Hanson was 90th in 28:38.
 
"This was probably the best all-around effort I've seen in a race from the men," MSUM head coach Ryan Milner said. "It's positive way to step into championships season and hopefully carry that into the indoor and outdoor track seasons."
 
The Dragon women finished in ninth with a score of 267. Augustana won with 20 points, sweeping spots second through sixth.
 
Sophomore Payton Lane was 35th in 23:26.44 to lead the Dragon women while sophomore Hope Pringle was 48th in 23:57.09.
 
Freshman Grace Dorsher was 61st in 24:23.75 while Aislin Anderson was 79th at 25:12.53. Junior McKenzie Maki was 101st in 26:04.19 while freshman Kenzie O'Connell was 107th in 26:24.17. Senior Caleigh Anderson was 116th in 27:27.58 while freshman Zoe Douglas was 119th in 27:36.24.
 
"The women's side it was a good learning experience," Milner said. "Almost everybody here was running in their first NSIC Championship. You have to see what level they'll need to run at going forward."
 
MSUM is at the NCAA Central Region meet on Nov. 6 in Joplin, Mo.