LEAVENWORTH, Kan. - Joining a top-three team leaderboard alongside two of the top NAIA programs in the Midwest, William Woods University placed third out of five teams with 83 points in the 5k Spire Sunset Showdown on Friday at the University of Saint Mary Cross Country Course. Crystal Ruden led the Owls individually, reaching the finish line in 19:31.5 to place fifth out of 60 runners - 20 seconds away from the top three.

"First meet in the books!" Ruden, a three-time All-American Midwest Conference honoree, said. "We all competed hard, and I was determined to finish ahead of where I started last year! It's only the start of the season, and we have a great foundation to work off of."

The Owls recorded a top-five average time of 20:57, and six of their competitors were in the top half of the standings. The course conditions were in the low 80s, with little clouds, no wind, a comfortable course featuring a combination of low-cut grass and dirt, as well as rolling hills with several straightaways.

"I am very happy with the lady's performance today," William Woods cross country coach Gregory A. Keeler said. "Senior Crystal Ruden's top-five finish was a great start to her season. Freshman Devan Humphreys had a great start to her college career with an impressive 21st place."

With strong first collegiate meet showings and solid, personal best times in other instances, Ruden was joined in William Woods' top five by freshman Devan Humphreys in 21st with a time of 21:11.1, 2024 American Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year Sarah Kirby in 22nd at 21:13.7, freshman Abbie Gibson 23rd at 21:17.3 and Sydney Grubb in 24th with a PR of 21:27.7. 

"First race was strong and felt good," Humphreys, a Lusby, Md. native, said. "Always push up the hills and catch the person in front of you if you can, as well as keep your pace till the end."

Rolla alumna Kathryn Hirtz, competing in her first college cross country 5k, also ran a strong race for the Owls, clocking the 29th and final sub-22-minute time, 21:58.4.

For the first time since last season's NAIA National Championships, William Woods will run on the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Mo., taking part in the Larry Young Invitational, hosted by Columbia College at 5:30 p.m. Sep. 12.

Meet Results

5th (5 pts) Crystal Ruden - 19:31.5
21nd (18 pts) Devan Humphreys - 21:11.1 (First Collegiate Race)
22nd (19 pts) Sarah Kirby - 21:13.7
23rd (20 pts) Abbie Gibson - 21:17.3 (First Collegiate Race)
24th (21 pts) Sydney Grubb - 21:27.7 (PR, prev. 21:29.4)
29th (24 pts) Kathryn Hirtz - 21:58.4 (First College XC 5k)
31st (26 pts) Gretchen Marriott - 22:11.2 (First Collegiate Race)
37th Madelynn Sprengel - 22:38.6 (First Collegiate Race)
38th Amy Schreck - 22:42.7 (PR, prev. 22:59.7)
39th Tara Lowe - 22:45.2
41st Christian Steuck - 22:49.5
42nd Kyah Weirich - 22:51.1
47th Kaylee Johnson - 23:22.9 (First Collegiate Race)
55th Anna Hart - 24:47.4

Team Scores

1st - No. 5 Saint Mary (Kan.) | 21 pts - 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, (15), (16)
Top-Five Average: 19:13

2nd - (RV) Benedictine (Kan.) | 41 pts - 3, 7, 9, 10, 12, (13), (14)
Top-Five Average: 19:47

3rd - William Woods | 83 pts - 5, 18, 19, 20, 21, (24), (26)
Top-Five Average: 20:57

4th - Evangel | 111 pts - 11, 22, 23, 27, 28, (29), (31)
Top-Five Average: 21:44

5th - Friends | 137 pts - 17, 25, 30, 32, 33, (34)
Top-Five Average: 22:52