By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The University of Sioux Falls Cross Country teams closed out their regular season with a statement performance at the Holiday Inn Express Classic, hosted by Dordt University on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars combined for three team finishes inside the top 12, highlighted by a flood of personal and season bests as they gear up for the NSIC Championships.
Women's Recap
The Cougar women delivered a strong effort in the 6000m race, finishing 12th overall as a team and recording a remarkable seven personal records. Senior Mallory Salazar continued her consistent season as USF's top finisher, taking 29th in a personal-best time of 22:15.23.
Freshman Anjalie Aho impressed again with a PR of 22:54.58 to finish 53rd, while fellow freshman Brooklyn Koll (78th, 23:19.01) and senior Emma Thomas (82nd, 23:24.67) also set new lifetime marks. Sophomore Chloe Aanenson rounded out the scoring five in 89th with a personal-best 23:35.52.
Senior Eva Studt (101st, 24:00.73) clocked her season best, while sophomore Olivia Babler (119th, 24:42.85) and sophomore Cameen McFarquhar (136th, 25:30.46) each ran personal bests of their own. Senior Lilly McCone (129th, 25:01.35) added a season-best performance to round out a highly encouraging team showing.
Men's Recap
The Cougar men turned in one of their best all-around performances of the fall, placing 11th in the Gold Division and 8th in the Black Division — both races filled with regionally ranked competition.
In the Gold Division, all six Cougar runners posted either a personal or season best. Junior Camden Janiszeski led the way in 34th with a PR of 25:39.72, followed closely by freshman Owen Janiszeski (37th, 25:47.55) and senior Bryson Canton (43rd, 25:52.86), who also hit career marks. Freshman Hunter Hart (98th, 26:58.04) joined the PR parade, while juniors Jace Cofer (118th, 27:28.12) and Chase Henderson (119th, 27:32.81) each recorded season bests.
In the Black Division, sophomore Gage Grohs led the team with a PR of 27:04.65 to take 42nd. Freshman Ethan West (79th, 28:23.54), junior Jaylen Palmer (103rd, 29:07.36), and sophomore Guta Buta (124th, 30:15.24) all set new personal bests, while Josiah Schroeder (73rd, 28:14.12) and Dylan Saur (96th, 28:52.60) each ran season-best efforts. Junior Mikele Walu (61st, 27:47.90) added another solid performance to close out the lineup.
Up Next
Both teams now turn their focus to the NSIC Championships on October 24th in Wayne, Nebraska, hosted at the Wayne Country Club.
Full Results
Women – 6000m (12th Place Team Finish)
Men – 8000m (Gold Division – 11th Place Team Finish)
Men – 8000m (Black Division – 8th Place Team Finish)
