WICHITA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women's cross country team opened the 2024 season with a fourth place finish at the JK Gold Classic, hosted by Wichita State University Saturday (Sept. 7) at the Clapp Golf Course.
 
The Tigers combined for 76 team points, with six FHSU competitors placing inside the top 23. All but one of the other finishers inside the top 23 were NCAA Division I runners.
 
Fort Hays State was the top NCAA Division II team, beating four other DII programs. FHSU's nearest DII competitor was Washburn nearly 100 points behind with 172.
 
Transfer Emily Diercks was the top Tiger placer in the 112-finisher field, completing the five-kilometer trek in 17:53.1. Returning All-Region finisher Jaycee Vath joined Diercks in the top 10, placing 10th with a time of 18:00.8. Freshman Emma Weiner made her collegiate debut with a 17th-place finish, crossing the line in 18:21.2. Transfer Taylor Hoskinson finished in 20th place with a time of 18:42. Senior Darian Hudgeons rounded out the scoring lineup after traversing the course in 18:46.5, good for 22nd place.
 
The Tigers will next compete this Friday (Sept. 13) when they host the FHSU Tiger Open at Rolling Ridge Cross Country Course. The women's five-kilometer race is scheduled to begin at 9:20 a.m.
 
Full FHSU Women's Results
4th – Team – 76 points
7th – Emily Diercks – 17:53.1
10th – Jaycee Vath – 18:00.8
17th – Emma Weiner – 18:21.2
20th – Taylor Hoskinson – 18:42.8
22nd – Darian Hudgeons – 18:46.5
23rd – Makenzie Premer – 18:47.0
30th – Abbye Hudson – 19:09.9
33rd – Ashlyn Harbaugh – 19:14.3
37th – Arely Maldonado – 19:25.1
41st – Brenna Murphy – 19:28.8
52th – Keziah Bachman – 20:04.1
59th – Alayna Cossaart – 20:28.8
62nd – Margaret Browning – 20:31.8
72nd – Madison Sutterfield – 20:45.9