Bethel, Kan. - The Friends University Cross Country teams recorded a pair of top tier results at the KCAC Cross Country meet today (Nov. 3) in Bethel, Kan.

The Falcon women posted a third place finish out of 13 complete teams, while the Men's Falcons came in as the conference runner-up out of 13 complete teams, their best outcome since 2014.

The Women's Falcons were the only squad with five runners in the top 20 and their top finishers were all under 19:50.

The Falcons' mark of 19:33 was their best average time of the year. Christa Titus (SR/Grinnell, Iowa) led the way with a fifth place finish and 19:02.  "She had a stronger race today against some good competition in the KCAC," Friends head coach Jason Parr said.  "She really showed her leadership today." 

Nicole Ballard (SO/Haviland, Kan.) had a bounce back race today by finishing 15th and running a season best.

Kara Zahariades (SO/Phoenix, Arizona) finished 16th by running a new XC (PR).  "She has had a really great season for the Falcons this year," Parr said.

Kara Simmons (SR/Lakin, Kan. ) finished 19th overall in her first KCAC cross-country race.  Miranda Tenove (JR/Olathe, Kan.) had made strong improvement all season with a 20th place finish, which is a big improvement from last year. 

"I'm really proud of Grace Garrison (FR/Clearwater, Kan. ), Payton Reaves (JR/Wichita, Kan.), Morgan Smith (FR/Wichita, Kan. ), Kayla Allen (SO/Lewiston, Maine), Jaelyn Casanova (JR/Wichita, Kan. ) and Jolene Jensen (FR/Exira, Iowa) for their hard work and effort put in this season," Parr said.  "I look for these ladies to continue to improve next season for us."

Friends University Women's Results

5th- Christa Titus 19:02

15th- Nicole Ballard 19:36

16th- Kara Zahariades 19:39

19th – Kara Simmons 19:48

20th- Miranda Tenove 19:49

25th- Grace Garrison 20:11

27th- Payton Reaves 20:14

28th- Morgan Smith 20:17

54th- Kayla Allen 21:52

57th- Jaelyn Casanova 22:01

68th- Jolene Jenson 22:54

"Our men's team improved with a 40sec average faster time from the last two weeks," Parr said. 

Jonathan Jones (FR/Derby, Kan. ) ran a personnel best, leading the way for the men's team with a 10th place overall finish in his first KCAC Championship Meet.  

Isaac Sprague (SR/Concordia, Kan.) came in with a 14th place overall finish today.  "He has been a great leader for us all year," Parr said. 

Freshman runner Nathan Mier (FR/Wichita, Kan. ) had a 40sec (PR) today to finish third for the men's squad.   

Avery Stuever (FR/Towanda, Kan. ) produced a very strong finish, coming in fourth on the Falcons with a time of 27:45. "Overall, I could not be more pleased with how our guys have performed this season," Parr said. 

"Logan White (JR/Wichita, Kan.), Reno Ferris (SR/Cheney, Kan.), Brett Martin (SR/Wichita, Kan.), Logan Krenn (JR/Ponca City, Okla. ) and Jonathan Pettyjohn (SO/Broken Arrow, Okla.) have all had strong seasons."    

Friends Men Results

10th- Jonathan Jones 26:38

14th- Isaac Sprague 26:58

17th- Nathan Mier 27:05

25th- Avery Stuever 27:45

30th- Logan White 27:54

37th- Reno Ferris 28:40

47th- Brett Martin 29:25

48th- Logan Krenn 29:25

49th- Jonathan Pettyjohn 29:30

Full Team Results:  http://results.tfmeetpro.com/AccuData_Timing_Service_LLC/2018_KCAC_XC/