NORTH NEWTON, Kan. - The Fort Hays State men's cross country team sent a small number of athletes to the Muthama-Rogers Invitational Saturday (Sept. 13), with the Tigers combining for 140 points to finish in fifth place out of 12 teams.
 
Kaiden Esfeld was the first Tiger to the finish line in the eight-kilometer race, completing the course in 28:07.2 to finish in 24th place. Ty Raultson turned in a time of 28:23.8 to place 26th, followed closely by Quade Smith in 28th place with a time of 28:25.5. Eli Hopkins was next across the finish line, placing 29th after traversing the course in 28:27.0. Brady Conway rounded out the FHSU top five in 33rd place out of 132 finishers with a time of 28:36.0.
 
Butler Community College took home the team title with 22 points, placing five runners in the top 12. Butler's Emmanuel Otim was the individual champion with a time of 25:33.8.
 
Looking ahead, the Tigers will return to competition at the end of the month when they travel to Stillwater, Okla. for the Cowboy Jamboree on Friday, September 26. The Tigers will then conclude the regular season next month when they host the FHSU Tiger Open on Saturday, October 11.
 
5th - Fort Hays State - 140 points
24th - Kaiden Esfeld - 28:07.2
26th - Ty Raulston - 28:23.8
28th - Quade Smith - 28:25.5
29th - Eli Hopkins - 28:27.0
33rd - Brady Conway - 28:36.0
39th - Andrew Waller - 28:54.9
45th - Zach Moore - 29:16.0
46th - Kamryn Golub - 29:16.5
50th - Hans Deaton - 29:33.6
59th - Luke Wessel - 30:04.5