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Bruin Cross Country opens with strong Augie Twilight outing

Bruin Cross Country opens with strong Augie Twilight outing
September 5, 2025
Results

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- As in the previous two seasons, the Bruin cross country teams opened their 2025 campaign under the lights of Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the Augie Twilight meet hosted by Augustana College. Both the men's and women's squads turned in impressive performances, previewing what could be an exceptional season.

The men's race began at 9:00 p.m., with a massive field of 394 runners navigating multiple loops around the lighted Yankton Trail soccer complex. Running without two veterans from last year's conference championship squad who had yet to arrive on campus, the Bruins leaned on a talented group of freshmen. The newcomers delivered in their debuts, helping the team to a 13th-place finish out of 25 teams—matching last year's finish and the best in program history.

A tight pack of four Bruins crossed the line within 21 seconds of each other. Freshman Jack Brown led the way in 86th place, clocking 20:21.7—a freshman record and the No. 3 all-time Bruin performance on the course. Senior Jose Lara followed in 95th (20:28.3), while sophomore Xavier Mallow joined them in the top 100, placing 99th in 20:30.4. Freshman Josh Fletcher rounded out the group in 118th with a time of 20:42.4.

Freshman Cody Fikar closed out the scoring five in 179th (21:16.3), with classmate Trey Larson just behind in 181st (21:17.3). Griffin Kipchumba placed 191st (21:23.0), and Robbie Siford crossed in 210th (21:38.3). Alejandro Corona Martinez completed the lineup in 356th with a time of 24:27.1.

Head Coach Craig Christians said:

"I was really impressed by our group tonight. Like the women, I saw a complete team effort from top to bottom. I think the guys are excited about how the season has started and are hungry to improve. We're going to have a high level of competition for the top seven spots, and that makes every one of us better."

The Bruins return to action on September 20 at the Greeno Invitational, hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln.