Southern has strong showing at Chili Pepper Invite

The Missouri Southern men’s and women’s cross country teams were back in action this weekend as they traveled to Fayetteville, Ark. to take part in the Chili Pepper Invite. Both teams last competed in the Southern Stampede on Sept. 19 at Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course. The women finished fifth and the men finished 14th in the Stampede.

Women:

The Lions finished seventh in the Chili Pepper Invite last weekend. Leading the Lions was Emily Harris. Harris finished in 47th as she was traversed a time of 17:37.24.

Sierra Gray placed 103rd traversing a time of 18:25.65. Cynthia Torres completed the race in a time of 18:32.69, Kindra Emberton finished in a time of 18:44.72, while Sarah Usher completed the course in a time of 18:45.82. Sara Lin and Alessandra Moss had times of 20:02.12, and 20:03.64 respectively.

The Lions placed sixth among non-Division I teams, including defeating nine Division I schools in the race.

“Championship season is in front of us,” said head coach Patty Vavra. “It’s a tough time in the year. They’ve been hammering at it for well over eight weeks now. But this is the time where you have to want it the most.”

Men:

The Lions finished 11th with 392 points in the Chili Pepper Invite last weekend. After winning the Southern Stampede, Vincent Kiprop led the way again for the Lions finishing in 11th place. Kiprop improved his 8k time with a 23:53.77, 17 seconds better than his first ever collegiate race at the Southern Stampede. Kiprop was the third-best non-Division I racer to finish.

Nathan Henry placed 97th with a time of 25:35.36. Jared Haltom finished the course in a time of 26:42.34, Jacob Coffman finished in a time of 27:09.95, and Luke Johnson ran a time of 27:42.72. Zach Caruthers finished in 28:25.48, while Ryan Drendel ran a time of 30:22.20.

Southern will be back in action next weekend at the Jackling Jocks Invite in Rolla, Mo. Missouri S&T is hosting the event.