COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri cross country teams competed at the Gans Creek Classic hosted by the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri Friday afternoon. 

The men's team finished the open 8k race third out of 24 teams totaling 122 points across the top 5 finishers. Indiana Wesleyan took the title with 72 points beating out Harding University with 85 points. 

"As a whole, the group placed well, but the heat was a factor on their times," said coach Ryan Lane. "Nick and Trey both ran great races, despite the heat."

Nick Cimmarusti led the Redhawks finishing seventh overall in a time of 24:55.5. Garrett Dumke followed for SEMO finishing in 31st with a mark of 25:50.5. Then came Evan Fuller in 52^nd in 26:22.1, Trey Mygatt continued his strong season with another personal best mark of 26:23.2 finishing in 54^th. Ian Schwierjohn wrapped up the scoring finishing in 68^th with a time of 26:29.4.

Other Finishers for the Redhawks included Myles Thornburg (85^th, 26:47.4), Byron Sowerby (88^th, 26:49.8), Clayton Eftink (102^nd, 27:00.5), Jacob Blassingame (117^th, 27:13.3) Cole Reinders (147^th, 27:47.4), and Sam Rinehart (185^th, 29:11.2).

The women's team finished the open 6k race in second out of 27 teams, collecting 102 points. Washburn University won the race collecting 96 points.

"On the women's side, the heat was not as much of a factor in the 6k, and quite a few women ran personal bests, while also having a great 4k-6k split."

Julia Martinez Dura led the Redhawks for the first time this season finishing in 13^th with a massive personal best reaching 22:31.1. Lauren Eftink followed in 22^nd in a time of 22:46.7. Lexie Dockstader finished next in 26^th with new personal best mark of 22:51.3, Kayla Vogelsang finished in 30^th also reaching a new personal best with a 22:58.2 and wrapping up the scoring was Erika Mellor in 36^th in 23:08.5.

Other finishers for the team included Daphne Bishop (38^th, 23:10.8), Mattea Pearsall (42^nd, 23:15.6), Alayna Sparr (67^th, 23:49.0), Claire Horstman (102^nd, 24:35.1) and Layla Fliege (24:53.1).

"Overall, it was not our best day, but we learned a lot from it," Lane said.

SEMO will have two weeks off before they return to racing at the Angel Mounds Invitational hosted by the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana on October 17^th.