SALINA, Kan. - After multiple weeks away from competition, the Bethel Threshers traveled up to Salina to take part in the KCAC Championships. The course was one of the more hilly layouts the team had faced this year, and the runners also battled wind during both the women's and men's races. Despite slower times the Threshers competed well with their conference foes, with each squad finishing seventh out of the 13 teams. Highlighting the day was Arran Kearney, who became the second runner on the men's side in Bethel's history to qualify for the NAIA National Championships.

WOMEN'S RACE: Natalie Graber was today's leader for the Thresher women. The junior was able to pace Bethel throughout the race, and finished with a 22:06 time in the 5K event for a 29th-place finish. Haley Robinette was able to come in just under 23 minutes and take 40th in the 101-person event.

Emma Hershberger and Stephany Meyer raced near each other through most of the race, with Hershberger able to cross the line first at 23:51. Meyer followed close behind at 24:16.

Answering the call for the Threshers today and competing in their first races of the season were Caitlyn Cron and Taylor Dashney. Cron put together a 75th-place finish with a 25:44, and Dashney took 83rd with a 27:43.

The women finished in seventh out of the 13-team field, their best team finish at the KCAC Championships since 2012.

MEN'S RACE: The Bethel men were led on the day by freshman Arran Kearney. Kearney came into the race with a chance at clinching a spot for the NAIA National Championships and was able to do just. Kearney remained among the first pack of runners despite the hills and wind conditions and used his long frame to clinch 20th-place with a time of 28:46. He was able to earn an All-KCAC honorable mention nod as well with his finish. He becomes the second male runner for Bethel Cross Country to qualify for the NAIA National Championships, the other being Julio Martinez in 2016 and 2017.

Laytham Magana came in next for the Threshers, ending his race with a sprint to the line between runners from Friends and York. Magana was able to clinch 33rd in the 109-person field, with a time of 29:50.

Isaiah Bartel came in with a time of 31:09, good for 53rd. Nick Morgan and Robbie Crager were each able to finish in the 31st minute as well, turning in times of 31:35 and 31:47, respectively.

Carter Funk and Evan DePriest closed out the runners for Bethel with times of 34:55 and 35:36.

The men finished seventh out of the 13-team field, their best team finish since finishing fifth in 2010.