NORTH NEWTON, Kan. - A strong southern wind welcomed all the competitors earlier this morning at the Bethel Cross Country Invite, held at the Bethel College Cross Country Course. Bethel competed against a field of conference competitors, as well as student-athletes from the NJCAA and NCAA DII levels. The women were missing a few individuals and weren't able to qualify for a team time, while the men finished fifth out of eight points-earning teams.

Emma Hershberger turned in a personal best to lead the women's team today, a time of 22:29.92. Aubry Grame finished just a half minute behind her at 22:53.55. Charlotte Ehrmann shaved over a minute off her previous best of the season, turning in a time of 25:41.22.

The men were paced by the trio of Arran Kearney, Isaiah Bartel, and Laytham Magana. All three hung together midway through the race before Kearney began to pull away from the pack. The Englishman was able to finish among the Top 25 with a time of 27:12.89, which currently stands as the 10th quickest 8K for the Threshers since at least 2008.

Bartel finished one spot outside the Top 25 with a time of 27:32. Magana was also able to crack a sub-28-minute mark with a 27:50.

Nick Morgan was able to pace the second group of Threshers with a 29:25. He was followed by Carter Funk (30:48), Robbie Crager (31:04), and Evan DePriest (32:52).

UP NEXT: The Threshers are scheduled to travel down to Winfield next week Saturday, October 24, to compete in the annual Mid-States Classic.