Mustangs run well in season's first 8k race

LINCOLN, NEB. – As the starter's gun fired and the competitors took off across the rolling hills of Mahoney Park Golf Course, Morningside's men's cross country team was focused on the task at hand. Running side-by-side with the likes of Nebraska and Kansas State, the Mustangs finished 18th as a team among the non-Division I competitors of the Nebraska Wesleyan and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invitational.

"Stepping out of our comfort zones once in a while is good for us," said coach Frank Wallace. "We stepped up when it mattered, and the results spoke to that."

Wallace continued, "My coaching staff has been doing awesome work week in and week out to prepare each and every individual. It's such a mental toughness sport, and they've come a long way from the season opener."

Mason Welker was the top finisher for the Mustang men, crossing the finish line in 28:41.7 and finishing 211th of 318 competitors. RC Hicks was not far behind, finishing his first collegiate 8k run in 28:48.5.

Jose Gutierrez, Levi Son, and Nick Schiltz rounded out the first five for the Mustangs, finishing in 29:15.5, 29:21.9, and 29:28.2, respectively.

Morningside's next meet is the Briar Cliff Invitational on Saturday, October 1, at the Adams Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, S.D.

"Today was a step in the right direction, and we will continue to improve and gain ground on the conference. We will keep working together to go in the right direction."