Kearney, Neb. – The nationally ranked Nebraska Kearney cross country teams finished third (men) and fourth (women) at the 2026 MIAA Championships Saturday in St. Joseph, Mo.
The meet featured 11 men’s and 13 women’s squads running on the Griffon C.C. Course (6k women and 8k men). An individual that finishes in the Top 20 earns All-MIAA accolades.
The 16th-ranked men scored 84 points to trail only 11th-ranked Washburn (47) and seventh-ranked Pittsburg State (61). This is the Ichabods first-ever men’s cross title with the Lopers having its sixth top three finish since joining the MIAA in 2012. Cracking the Top 20 were Lincoln junior Carter Hohlen (11th/24:59.7), Kansas sophomore Drew Elliott (13th/25:03.4), Beatrice sophomore Josiah Quinones (14th/25:03.8) and South Sioux City senior Mesuidi Ejerso (20th/25.14.6). Pitt’s Dylan Sprecker was the champ in a time of 24:19.1.
The 24th-ranked Loper women scored 98 points to trail No. 9 Missouri Southern (60), No. 20 Rogers State (69), and No. 10 Pitt State (72). The Lions win their first title since 2014 with UNK having its 11th straight top five finish. Earning All-MIAA honors were Kearney sophomore Abigail Burger (6th/21:14.8), McCool Junction junior Kassidy Stuckey (7th/21:20.2) and Kansas sophomore Lily Brewer (17th/22:03.7). MoSo’s Ruth Chemutai (20:32.0) came in first with Burger and Stuckey repeated all-league picks.
The NCAA Central Regionals are Nov. 21 at Sioux Falls, S.D.
