With the KCAC cross country meet on tap this weekend, the Tabor College Bluejays got the best tune-up of the season Saturday, at the NAIA Mid-States Classic.
Running against some the top programs in the area, the Lady Bluejays took 12th place out of 20 competing schools.
Out of the KCAC schools in attendance, only Southwestern and Kansas Wesleyan posted a higher finish than the Lady Jays.
Wayland Baptist cruised to an easy women’s title, beating Doane 39-101.
The Bluejay men’s team finished 16th, scoring 426 points with Colorado College winning the men’s title.
Christina Addison continued to strengthen her hold as the Tabor’s top female runner.
Of 178 runners on the 5k-course her season-best time of 19 minutes, 57 seconds left her with a 49th-place finish.
Liz Kleinsasser was second, running a 20:51 for 78th.
Jera Tesselle finished 95th with her time of 21:15, a season high.
Kelli Kopper’s 21:34 time for 107th eclipsed her personal record.
Carrie Schroeder and Leah Kopper were 122nd and 123rd, respectively, with two seconds separating the two.
Julia Carlton (22:57), and Tessa Siebert (23:08) were 135th and 140th, respectively, with Siebert setting a season-high as well.
Elissa Richert was 142nd with a personal-best 23:22.
The 8k men’s course saw 204 finish the race with Zac Remboldt pacing the Bluejays.
Remboldt set a season-best mark, taking 76th in 27:54.
Zac Gould’s time of 28:11 for 87th also was a season best.
Also turning in season-high times were Dan Sigley (91st, 28:22), and Justin Ball (159th 30:43).
Ric Johnson finished 116th with a personal record of 28:52.
“The men had an exceptional day of running with the top four running in the 27s and 28s,” Bluejay coach Karol Hunt said. “That’s a reflection of their hard work and determination.
“Today was our last race prior to the conference. We passed the preparation test, setting four PRs in one day is a real tribute to the efforts of the runners.”
Tabor wraps up the regular season Saturday, competing at the KCAC league meet hosted by Bethany at the Lindsborg Golf Course.