Building Blocks – Mustangs show continued improvement with GPACs looming

SIOUX CENTER, IOWA – Putting three women's runners into the top 15 and one men's into similar territory Saturday, Oct. 9, left Morningside University head cross country coach Dave Nash brimming with anticipation for what lies ahead.

"We are definitely excited about the future," Nash noted at the close of the Dordt University Invitational. He, his staff, and the Mustangs men's and women's squads had reasons to be. The women battled the host and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' No. 14-ranked Defenders to the finish, ending less than 25 points (64-88) out of the runner-up team slot. Morningside's men, among an elite field, as the women were, landed less than 30 points out of the first five, totaling 152.

"The women are starting to gel," Nash added. "(Junior) Kristine (Honomichl of Westminster, Colo.) and (seniors) Jo (McKibben of Mapleton, Iowa) and Emalee (Fundermann of Anthon, Iowa) are finding their groove. They feed off of each other every day."

"I feel like our men are also coming together," he continued. "(Senior) Ro (Paschal of Mancos, Colo.) is showing he can run with the best of the Great Plains Athletic Conference."

Honomichl crossed the line in 18:54.75, trailing NAIA All-American Jessica Kampman of Dordt by less than five seconds (18:50.1) towards a sparkling sixth-place finish. McKibben also nibbled at the first ten slot, taking 11^th (19:12.34), and Fundermann placed 14^th (19:17.27). Paschal's 26:07.87 put him 13^th, and fellow senior Garrett Hanson (Sioux City, Iowa) took the number two Mside spot again, clocking a 27:25.8 for 35^th.

Nash also pointed out a few others who made impressions with the 2021 GPACs on the horizon in early November.

"(Sophomore) Monica (Olson of Sioux City, Iowa) was almost in the top 40," the head coach reflected. "Garrett and (junior) Justin (Ambrose of Dunlap, Iowa) made good strides, too, with Garrett in the first 35, and Justin nearly climbed into the best 50 individually."

Morningside breaks from competition next weekend. They return to the course Saturday, Oct. 23, for the Mount Marty Invitational, their final tune-up before the conference meet.