The inaugural Griffon men’s and women’s cross country season began with the women taking first place and men taking third in their first-ever competition, the Bearcat Open in Maryville, Missouri. The women claimed the team championship by 34 points with six of the top-nine individual finishers, including champion Kaitlyn Shoemaker and second-place finisher Claire Reedy. The men placed two individuals in the top eight, including Noah Rasmussen in fourth.
The teams competed in six meets throughout the fall, including the MIAA championships and the NCAA Central Region Cross Country Championships at the Kearney Country Club.
The women saved its best for the most important event of its inaugural season. Every scoring Griffon posted a personal record and the team posted its best time of the season at the regional championship Nov. 4. The team finished 14th with Kaitlyn Shoemaker finishing 13th individually. Missouri Western women finished sixth among MIAA schools in the regional event.
The men’s team finished in 24th place in their first-ever 10k race. Alex Bautista led the men.
The teams are headed by first-year coach Marc Bierbaum. There were 15 members of the women’s team from six states and 14 from six states on the men’s.