The men’s cross country team delivered its best performance in five years at its final meet of the season, the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional, finishing in fifth, while the women’s team placed 15th. 

Seniors Richie Johnston and Ross Kuhn led the men’s team, both finishing with personal best times of 31:44 and 31:45, respectively, in the 10-kilometer race. This race marked Johnston’s last time out. 

Johnston said the team knew the race would be competitive, but they were up for the challenge. 

“We were confident going into regionals, especially after our performance at conference, and we had very high expectations for the team despite knowing it was going to be a competitive race,” Johnston said. “Each individual knew that they would need to run a lights-out race, as we did at conference.” 

Junior Gabe Phillips placed in the top 50 competitors, followed by sophomore Caleb Youngstedt and junior Nathaniel Osborne. Senior Donny McArdle finished his cross country career in 108th place at 33:18 for the 10-kilometer race. According to McArdle, despite being nervous about the race, he knew the team was motivated to work as hard as they could. 

“Going into regionals, I certainly had some nerves, but we had our eyes set on qualifying for the national championship, which provided a lot of motivation,” McArdle said.  “This was the fourth time I’ve competed in this race, so I knew what to expect from a competitive standpoint. Stepping up to the line, I just had to believe that my team was one of the best out of anyone there, and while we didn’t finish how we had hoped, we ran with a lot of heart.”

McArdle and Johnston said they are grateful for the season and their cross country careers and proud of the team they were a part of. 

“I got to serve as a pacer for a couple of our guys during the conference championship, and while that’s the only race I didn’t finish in my whole career, it was the most meaningful,” McArdle said. “I’m incredibly proud to have run with every teammate I’ve had the honor to, past and present, and I’m very grateful for all the gifts the sport has given me.”

Despite being sad that he won’t run another cross country race, Johnston said he cherishes every moment he had with the team. 

“It’s weird to think that I will never race cross again, but honestly, it’s nice to end on a high note,” Johnston said. “Finishing my cross country career with some of my best friends by my side was special, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”

The women’s team was without top runner freshman Evyn Humphrey due to an injury for this meet, but freshman Allison Kuzma led the Chargers with her 26th-place finish in the 6-kilometer race. According to Kuzma, since it was her first collegiate regional experience, she was nervous but excited to compete. 

“I am very grateful for my teammates who helped me ease my nerves by keeping a mindset of excitement throughout the time leading up to our race,” Kuzma said. 

Sophomores Savannah Fraley and Eleanor Clark finished 39th and 83rd, respectively, with both women marking faster times than last year’s regional race. Sophomore Anna Stirton finished in 103rd with a time just 10 seconds short of her 6-kilometer personal best. Hillsdale’s fifth runner was senior Kayla Loescher, who finished 114th place overall. According to Loescher, the realization that this was her last meet has not fully processed yet. 

“It has been pretty hard to process the fact that this past Saturday was actually my last cross country race ever,” Loescher said.  “I’m very grateful for all this sport has added to my life, considering I’ve made a lot of my best friends in high school and college through cross country and have so many great memories from the eight seasons I’ve been running.” 

While reflecting on Kuzma’s first and Loescher’s last cross country seasons at Hillsdale, both women were proud of the team they have been a part of. 

“I am just so grateful for my teammates and coach,” Kuzma said.  “Running can be a mentally and physically demanding sport, so having such an amazing environment allowed me to thrive, and I look forward to practicing every day.” 

Loescher also commented on her races this past season and how successful the team was overall with always being able to work together. 

“Looking back on the season, I’m proud of how consistent I’ve been every race, even when I haven’t felt the best,” Loescher said. “I think this goes for the team, too. I could count on everyone else to go out there and approach each race as we planned.”

The men’s and women’s cross country teams will have a few weeks off before they turn their attention to indoor track season, which begins in December.