The Kansas State men’s and women’s cross country teams are set to compete at the NCAA Midwest Regional meet, hosted by Iowa State University at their home course in Ames, Iowa, Friday.
Two weeks ago the Wildcats competed at the Big 12 Championship in Round Rock, Texas, with the men’s team completing the race with a program best.
The men’s team completed the Big 12 Championship with a fourth-place finish, which was an improvement from the 2016 result of eighth place. Individually, the Wildcats were led by senior Colton Donahue, who finished in 23rd place.
The top five Kansas State runners all finished within 20 seconds from each other, with seniors Lukas Koch and Bryan Zack both achieving personal best times.
In week six of the USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Regional Rankings, Kansas State is ranked 12th in the Midwest region, while Midwest Regional host, Iowa State, takes the top ranking.
“The men’s team is ranked 12th,” head coach Ryun Godfrey told K-State Sports. “It would be nice to see them finish within the top 12. If they do what did at conference, stay tight with 20-30 seconds between our 1-5 runners, we should be in good shape.”
The women’s cross country team finished the Big 12 Championship with a ninth-place achievement, which was a one-spot improvement after placing 10th in 2016.
Senior Kayla Doll led the Wildcat women in the Big 12 Championships; she ended with a 21st place finish and a new personal best time of 21:00.2. Freshman Cara Melgares had a strong showing as she followed Doll, as she came in 37th with a time of 21:30.2. Each women’s cross country participant in the Big 12 Championships ran a personal best time.
The women’s team is not currently ranked in the USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Regional Rankings, although they were ranked ninth in week four.
K-State’s last victory at the NCAA Midwest Regional came in 2000 to the women’s team.
The women will kick off the Midwest Regional meet at 10:45 a.m. with the 6K race, and the men follow with the 10K race at 11:45 a.m.
