SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Nebraska Wesleyan cross country opened the 2025 season under the lights at the Augustana Twilight on Friday night, with the men's team placing sixth out of 25 programs and the women finishing 13th in a deep 26-team field.
The Prairie Wolves men tallied 199 team points behind a strong pack effort and a 36th-place individual finish from junior Connor Ross. The women scored 349 points and were paced by freshman Jenna Lake, who turned in an impressive debut with a sub-20-minute performance.
NWU's men posted a combined team time of 1:40:32.52 with an average of 20:06.51 across the four-mile race. On the women's side, the Prairie Wolves totaled 1:37.27.79 with an average of 19:29.56. South Dakota State claimed the team title on both sides, sweeping the meet with 20 points in the women's race and a perfect 15 in the men's.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Women's Race (5K)
The women's race kicked off the evening at 8:30 p.m., where freshman Jenna Lake wasted no time making her mark. Lake crossed in 19:12.90 to place 73rd overall, contributing 56 points to NWU's team score. Senior Avery Byers followed close behind in 19:21.04, while Delaney Vacek (19:26.52) and Payton Jorczak (19:26.66) packed tightly within seconds of each other to round out the top four Prairie Wolves.
Sophomore Reese Kozisek capped the scoring lineup with a 20:00.67 placing 128th. Freshman Alyssa Walker (20:05.35) and Erin Chambers (20:08.68) added depth, giving NWU a top-seven average under 20:10.
Men's Race (4-Mile)
The men's race began at 9:00 p.m., where Connor Ross led the way with a 36th-place finish in 19:48.06. Freshman Noah Thomas impressed in his debut, crossing in 19:53.43, followed by junior Thomas Vasquez in 20:02.58.
Freshman Diego Chojolan made an immediate impact with a 20:19.30 in his collegiate debut, while junior Josh Knispel rounded out the Prairie Wolves' scoring five in 20:29.15. Dylan Lender (20:42.81) and Jack Sinott(20:44.48) provided additional depth inside the top seven.
UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan cross country returns to action on Saturday, September 20, hosting the Greeno/Dirksen Invitational at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln.
