The Lions’ cross country team has again been denied a first place finish.

When they traveled to Warrensburg to face the Mules last week the men were coming off a very competitive meet against a tough Division-I team in the Arkansas Razorbacks.

This time around however, the Lions did not finish as close to the top. Jarko Jarvenpaa was the first Lion to cross, finishing 9th overall with a time of 20:30.82 on the four-mile course.

The women did not have a meet last week as both teams prepare to host the annual Southern Stampede today. The men and women both hope to get over the hump and win the only meet of the year on their own campus.

The Stampede will feature Fort Hays State, Pitt State, Southwest Baptist, and, obviously, the hosting Lions in competition.

The annual Stampede features college and university runners as well as high school competitors.

After the Stampede the runners will prepare for the Oklahoma State Jamboree on Oct. 3 and the and the Missouri S & T on Oct. 10. The MIAA Championships will be Oct. 24.