Cross Country/Track & Field | 10/30/2025 12:38:00 PM

Colby, KS -  The men's and women's Cross Country teams competed at the NJCAA Region 6 Championships in Colby, KS last Friday. The men's team came away with an 8th place finish in the region, while the women had Bethany Barger come away with All-KJCCC East region honors. The day was very succesful for the Panthers, the Men ran the 4th fastest team time in school history while both Bethany Barger and Melania Turaga had personal best times in the women's 5k, Bethany still setting #3 All-time on the list inched closer to the sub 20 min mark while Mela ran below 21 min for the first time in her career and moving herself to #5 All-time for the Panthers with her 20:41 finish.

"We are right where we need to be, it took a while to come along this season but we see it now and have put ourselves in a great position to finish off at our absolute best this season. Things have been a challenge this season but I am super proud of the fight this team has put out there and am happy it is all finally paying off for them." Said Coach Bruton after the Regional Championships.

The men's team and Barger and Turaga now set their sites on the National Championships in Fort Dodge, IA. The men' look to finish in the top 25 as a program again while both Barger and Turaga shoot for sub 20 min performances to solidify their spots as 2 of the best in program history and a high finish at the Championships agains the Nations best talent.