VANCOUVER, Wash. – Eastern Oregon’s men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the 68th Annual Men’s Cross Country National Championships on Saturday, capping off a memorable season.

Despite facing several unexpected challenges, the men’s team secured a seventh place with a total of 283 points. Justin Ash led the charge for the Mounties, finishing 20th with a time of 25 minutes, 20.7 seconds. Ash’s finish earned him all-American status for the junior. Thomas Ogden, Winston Telford, Jonathan Wind, and George Showers displayed impressive performances, securing places 62nd, 67th, 86th, and 91st, respectively. Telford hit his rhythm during the race, surging from 224th to 67th place between the first and final splits. Losing his shoe midway through the race, Mendoza battled to secure a top-100 finish. Despite feeling under the weather, Hunter Nichols also fought through adversity, rounding out the team’s efforts with a 193rd place finish.

On the women’s race, the team secured the 30th position , accumulating 831 points. The championships served as a valuable experience for the young team, featuring four freshmen and three juniors in their debuts at the NAIA National Championships. Jaiden Cochran led the way for the women’s team, securing 142nd place with a time of 23:59.4. Mattie Woodbury, Madelyn Nichols, Ashley Treadwell, Lauryn Mitchell, Kendall Bonzani, and Kaleah Hines also contributed significantly, finishing 214th, 247th, 270th, 279th, 284th, and 297th, respectively.