ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's cross country team posted a pair of top-40 performances at the Griffon Open Saturday morning (Oct. 24) hosted by Missouri Western at the Griffon Cross Country Course. The meet was not scored as a team competition.
 
Emma Weiner and Jacee Deges led the squad in the 5K, placing 32nd and 33rd respectively out of 142 finishers with time of 19:07.3 and 19:07.4. Elsie Rickstrew reached the finish line less than 30 seconds later, finishing 55th in 19:34.4. Brenna Murphy placed 56th with a time of 19:36.3.
 
Six more Tigers crossed the line together soon after, with Madelynn Nichols finishing 61st in 19:44.7, followed by Madelyn Russell in 62nd at 19:44.8. Esther Clark-Pavlovich placed 63rd in 19:44.8, while Margaret Browning finished 64th in the same time. Keziah Bachman placed 65th in 19:44.9, followed by Janae Fugitt in 66th, also at 19:44.9. Eva Cortes rounded out the Tiger squad in 115th with a time of 21:10.7
 
Natalie Gerdes of Southwest Baptist claimed the women's individual title, finishing the 5K in 17:10.6.
 
The Tigers will return St. Joseph in two weeks for the MIAA Championships, with the women's six-kilometer championship race set to begin at 11 a.m.
 
Fort Hays State Women's Results (5K)
32nd – Emma Weiner – 19:07.3  
33rd – Jacee Deges – 19:07.4  
55th – Elsie Rickstrew – 19:34.4  
56th – Brenna Murphy – 19:36.3  
61st – Madelynn Nichols – 19:44.7  
62nd – Madelyn Russell – 19:44.8  
63rd – Esther Clark-Pavlovich – 19:44.8  
64th – Margaret Browning – 19:44.8  
65th – Keziah Bachman – 19:44.9  
66th – Janae Fugitt – 19:44.9
115th - Eva Cortes - 21:10.7