Sporrer closes with best finish, Mustangs place 25th
Morningside — competing as a full team at nationals for the first time in five years — finished 25th among the 36 qualifying squads.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Senior Courtney Sporrer ended her cross country career with her best national finish.
The Mustangs senior placed 37th Friday morning at the NAIA Cross Country Championships, crossing in 21 minutes, 56 seconds on the 6,000-meter course. She cut 40 seconds off her time from last year's national race and climbed 11 spots over the final 1,000 meters.
Morningside — competing as a full team at nationals for the first time in five years — finished 25th among the 36 qualifying squads.
Freshman Stefi Beisswenger was the Mustangs' second runner, placing 133rd in 23:11. Her highest checkpoint position came at the 2,170-meter mark, where she ran in 86th.
Junior Gabby Ryan moved up 15 spots over the last two kilometers to place 157th in 23:25.
Junior London Rogge finished 207th in 23:56, gaining 13 places between the 3K and 4K points.
Freshman Madison Sporrer, running alongside her sister at nationals for the first time, placed 246th in 24:27.
Senior Nicole Zuehl closed out her Mustang cross country career in 24:35, running her final 1,000 meters in 4:12.
Freshman Breyer Anderson capped her first season with a 275th-place finish in 25:02, earning her first national-championship experience.