JOPLIN, Mo. - The Friends University Women's Cross Country made a statement this past weekend at the Missouri Southern State University Stampede by covering the 5K course in a team average of 19:36. The Falcons placed fourth out of 22 teams and took down conference opponents St. Mary, Southwestern College and Ottawa University.

Friends was the highest placing NAIA team in the race, as they beat two teams who were receiving votes in the NAIA national poll last week (Baker and Mount Mercy) as well as six other NAIA Schools. 

Christa Follette (JR/Grinnell, Iowa) was the Falcons top runner for the second race in a row as she set a 30 second personal best on the course with a time of 18:36 to place third overall out of 217 runners. Nicole Ballard (FR/Haviland, Kan.) completed her first ever 5K race to be the Falcons second top finisher in a stellar time of 19:16 to place 13th overall and receive a medal finish along with Follette (Top 15 = Medals).

Friends University Results

3rd - Christa Follette – 18:36 (29 seconds faster than last season)

13th - Nicole Ballard – 19:16

37th - Grace Camp (SR/Maize, Kan.) – 19:45 (15 seconds faster than last season)

53rd - Kara Zahariades (FR/Phoenix, Arizona) – 20:02

71st - Kayla Allen (FR/Lewiston, Maine) – 20:23

86th - Bethany Vonada (SR/Shawnee, Kan.) – 20:44 (21 seconds faster than last season)

88th - Payton Reaves (SO/Wichita, Kan.) – 20:45 (65 seconds faster than last season)

102nd - Miranda Tenove (SO/Olathe, Kan.) – 21:02 (187 seconds faster than last season)

144th – Tess Madsen (JR/Tescott, Kan.) – 21:55

"I am very pleased with the way our women ran this weekend in what turned out to be a very competitive race," said first year Head Coach Jason Parr. "Christa is in top form and looking stronger every week and it was great to see Nicole have so much success in her first 5K race as a collegiate athlete."

"Our girls are doing a great job of working together in practice and it shows when you see the massive improvements they are running each week compared to last season. Their success is a true testament to their work ethic and dedication to doing things the right way and training as one unit. We love racing against KCAC Competition and this weekend was a great opportunity to see both Southwestern and St. Mary. It's going to be a battle for the Top two national qualifying spots at the conference championships in November."

Full Team Results: 

https://www.directathletics.com/results/xc/12658.html

The Cross Country team will be back in competitive action on September 30th in Fayetteville, Arkansas for the Arkansas Chile Pepper Festival, which is widely known as one of the best races/courses in the country.