Joplin, Mo. - The Friends University Women's (5K) & Men's (8K) Cross Country teams competed in their third meet of the season Saturday (Sept. 15) at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Mo. 

The Falcon women came in a solid third out of 20 teams, with senior Christa Titus (SR/Grinnell, Iowa) leading the way with a 10th place overall finish and a time of 19:13.  Nicole Ballard (SO/Haviland, Kan.) was right behind in 11th with a 19:15 mark.

"Christa ran a really strong race today and Nicole continues to get stronger," Friends head coach Jason Parr said. 

Miranda Tenove (JR/Olathe, Kan.) finished 22nd, running another solid time of 19: 46. Kara Simmons (SR/Lakin, Kan. ), who completed her first-ever 5K, ran an impressive time of 19:50 and finished 26th overall and fourth on the team. 

Kara Zahariades (SO/Phoenix, Arizona) rounded out the top five for the Falcons with a 42nd overall finish. 

Newcomer Grace Garrison (FR/Clearwater, Kan. ) ran a good race to finish just behind Simmons with a time of 20:24. 

"We have a couple of ladies who are continuing to work hard and are making progress towards getting in the mix with these other six ladies, Parr said.

"We will be a strong team as the season moves forward.  I thought our team ran up to the level of competition today and that's all I ask.  We definitely have some room for improvement as we start thinking about those squads in the KCAC.  I know our ladies will continue to show up each week ready to go. I'm very proud of all of our girls for their hard work this weekend."

Friends University Results

10th- Christa Titus- 19:13

11th- Nicole Ballard- 19:15

22nd- Miranda Tenove- 19:46

26th- Kara Simmons- 19:50

42nd- Kara Zahariades- 20:11

46th- Grace Garrison- 20:24

62nd- Payton Reaves (JR/Wichita, Kan.)- 20:44

65th- Morgan Smith (FR/Wichita, Kan. )- 20:47

96th - Kayla Allen (SO/Lewiston, Maine)- 21:34

145th- Jaelyn Casanova (JR/Wichita, Kan. )- 23:06

169th- Moira Burgess (FR/Monmouth, Maine)-24:22

181st - Jolene Jensen (FR/Exira, Iowa)- 24:58

The Men's Falcons recorded a seventh place finish out of 24 complete teams at the MSSU Stampede.  Leading the way again was newcomer Jonathan Jones (FR/Derby, Kan. ), putting together a time of 27:06 to finish 15th overall.

Finishing second on the team was Logan White (JR/Wichita, Kan.) with a time of 28:06. Right behind White was Isaac Sprague (SR/Concordia, Kan.) at 28:25, with Nathan Mier (FR/Wichita, Kan. ) finishing fourth on the team with a mark of 28:39.

"I was very impressed with Jonathan's leadership on the course," Parr said. "Nathan continues to be a strong four or five for us and Logan Krenn (JR/Ponca City, Okla. ) had a PR today in the 8K and was our fifth guy."  

"We had some help today by having Reno Ferris (SR/Cheney, Kan.) return, who ran well in his first race back.  Our men's team has some work to do and I have no doubt we will continue to see improvements from all of them.   We have turned the corner for sure with the ability to compete in every race."

Friends Men Results

15th - Jonathan Jones- 27:06

41st- Logan White- 28:06

50th – Isaac Sprague- 28:25

56th- Nathan Mier- 28:39

65th- Logan Krenn- 28:59

67th- Reno Ferris- 29:01

93rd- Brett Martin (SR/Wichita, Kan.)- 29:47

99th- Avery Stuever (FR/Towanda, Kan. )- 29:53

151st- Isaac Nelson (FR/Wichita, Kan. )- 31:39

166th- Jonathan Pettyjohn (SO/Broken Arrow, Okla.)- 32:22

178th- Alex Viscarra (JR/Wichita, Kan. )- 32:46

The Falcon cross country teams will next compete Oct. 6 at the Emporia State Invite in Emporia, Kan.

Full Team Results:  https://www.tfrrs.org/results_search.html