The Emporia State men’s cross country team placed five in the top ten to beat Fort Hays State in a tiebreak to win the ESU Invitational at Jones Park in Emporia Friday afternoon. Jaime Diaz led from the start and pushed the pace on the way to a course-record 24:43.70 to pick up the individual victory. Henry Jones finished in third place for the Hornets with a 25:35.64. Tyler Swift finished sixth, Asher Moen was ninth, Luke Gleason 10th. Emporia State and Fort Hays State tied on points but the Hornets picked up the win with placers in the top 10 while the Tigers managed only four. Diaz said it was huge to beat an in-conference in-state rival to win their home meet.
On the women’s side, Tayler Williams also broke the course record but finished fourth individually with a 17:49.27 and was the only Lady Hornet inside the top ten. Williams said the performance is giving her confidence heading into the MIAA Championships later this month.
Fort Hays State took the women’s title with ESU finishing fifth. Head coach Mark Stanbrough called the men’s race one of the best he’s seen.
Both teams are off next week and return to action at the MIAA Championships October 20 in Columbia, Mo.
