By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
EMPORIA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women’s cross country team, currently ranked No. 21 in the latest USTFCCCA NCAA DII National Coaches’ Poll, earned its third-consecutive victory Friday (Oct. 11) in dominating fashion, turning in a perfect score of 15 team points to win the Emporia State Invitational. The Tigers had seven runners in the top eight and eight in the top 10.
This is Fort Hays State’s sixth-straight victory in a regular season race in Emporia dating back to 2014. The Tigers finished 41 points in front of second-place Emporia State. FHSU has yet to lose to a non-DI team in 2024.
Emily Diercks took home the individual title, completing the five-kilometer Jones Park Cross Country Course in 18:06.1. The win gave FHSU the individual champion at this race for a second year in a row after Regan Hodsden picked up the victory in 2023.
An unattached runner finished second, while the next six runners to cross the line were all Tigers. Jaycee Vathplaced third with a time of 18:33.8, finishing in the top three at this race for a second year in a row after placing second in 2023.
Emma Weiner was fourth in the field of 35 finishers, completing the race in 18:50.9. Darian Hudgeonsrounded out the top five, posting a time of 19:06.1. Ashlyn Harbaugh was close behind in sixth, traversing the course in 19:12.0.
The Tigers will next compete on Saturday, October 26 when they travel to St. Joseph, Mo. for the 2024 MIAA Championships. The women’s six-kilometer championship is slated to begin at 11 a.m.
Full FHSU Results
1st – Fort Hays State – 15 points
1st – Emily Diercks – 18:06.1
3rd – Jaycee Vath – 18:33.8
4th – Emma Weiner – 18:50.9
5th – Darian Hudgeons – 19:06.1
6th – Ashlyn Harbaugh – 19:12.0
7th – Makenzie Premer – 19:29.5
8th – Madison Sutterfield – 19:45.7
10th – Abbye Hudson – 20:01.1
12th – Brenna Murphy – 20:12.6
13th – Arely Maldonado – 20:13.9
14th – Morgan Beckwith – 20:25.2
20th – Keziah Bachman – 21:09.7
21st – Alayna Cossaart – 21:10.2
22nd – Kyra Nippert – 21:11.0
Taylor Hoskinson – DNF
Men
The Fort Hays State men’s cross country team placed five runners in the top seven Friday (Oct. 11) at the Emporia State Invitational, helping the Tigers to their second team victory of the season. FHSU racked up 18 team points in the process, 41 points in front of second-place Central Missouri.
Christian Darrah led the Tigers to the line, placing second with a time of 26:10.8 in the eight-kilometer race. Jaret Pfizenmaier placed third out of 48 finishers, crossing the line in 27:00.5.
Cole Krug finished in fifth place, turning in a time of 27:23.8. Brady Conway completed the trek in 27:31.1, placing sixth, with Chayse McCullough close behind in seventh after traversing the course in 27:39.9.
Competing unattached, Siyabonga Mokgothu won the race in 25:42.2.
The Tigers will next compete on Saturday, October 26 when they travel to St. Joseph, Mo. for the 2024 MIAA Championships. The men’s eight-kilometer championship is slated to begin at 10 a.m.
1st – Fort Hays State – 18 points
2nd – Christian Darrah – 26:10.8
3rd – Jaret Pfizenmaier – 27:00.5
5th – Cole Krug – 27:23.8
6th – Brady Conway – 27:37.1
7th – Chayse McCullough – 27:39.9
9th – Noah Morenz – 27:50.0
10th – Daniel Bechle – 27:55.3
11th – Kaiden Esfeld – 28:02.7
13th – Ian Weich – 28:06.3
17th – Brady Stegman – 28:29.3
19th – Ethan Fisher – 28:46.5
24th – Emery Wolfe – 29:16.4
25th – Ethan Emmons – 29:18.1
27th – Lucas Cisneros – 29:28.3