Haskell Indian Nations Edges Spartanburg Methodist for 2024 CAC Women’s Cross Country Title

Haskell Indian Nations University (Kansas) won a competitive 2024 Continental Athletic Conference Women's Cross Country Championship meet with a narrow three-point victory over Spartanburg Methodist College (South Carolina) on Friday morning at Holloway Park in Lakeland Florida, hosted by Florida College.

Haskell Indian Nations compiled 31 points to edge Spartanburg Methodist's 34 points for the title and team qualification for the NAIA national championships. Florida College placed third with 77 points while Florida National University had 79 points.

Runners placing in the top five earned first all-conference team honors while finishers in sixth through 10th places garnered second all-CAC team accolades.

Haskell Indian Nations had runners place between fourth and seventh places to overcome Spartanburg Methodist, which had two of the top three finishers.

Spartanburg Methodist's Sophia Outhous was the first-place finisher in 24:42, beating Florida National University's Lismar Bentancourt by 26 seconds. Audrey Noel was third for Spartanburg Methodist in 25:24.

Then, Haskell Indian Nations compiled 22 of its 31 points behind strong finishes from Tiajhae Nez, fourth; Nina Bitsilly, fifth; Merisha Long, sixth; and Yanibah Begay, seventh.

Spartanburg Methodist's Averi Vance finished eighth to be the third Pioneer to score in the meet.

Haskell Indian Nations' Deanna Teller helped secure the team title with her ninth-place finish. Spartanburg Methodist's Bella Shields earned second all-CAC team honors with a 10th-place finish.

Florida College was led by Kendall Griggs in 11th place.

As CAC champions, Haskell Indian Nations advances to compete in the NAIA national championship meet on November 22 in Columbia, Missouri. Individual national qualifiers, based on their strong CAC finishers, are Spartanburg Methodist's Sophia Outhous, Audrey Noel and Averi Vance, along with Florida National University's Lismar Bentancourt.

RESULTS

2024 Continental Athletic Conference Men's Cross Country Championship

Runner of the Year: Sophia Outhous, Spartanburg Methodist College

Individual National Qualifiers: Sophia Outhous, Spartanburg Methodist College; Lismar Bentancourt, Florida National University; Audrey Noel, Spartanburg Methodist College; Averi Vance, Spartanburg Methodist College

Team Standings

1. Haskell Indian Nations University, 31 points
2. Spartanburg Methodist College, 33 points
3. Florida College, 77 points
4. Florida National University, 79 points

First-Team All-Conference (Top 5 Finishers)

Sophia Outhous, Spartanburg Methodist College

Lismar Bentancourt, Florida National University

Audrey Noel, Spartanburg Methodist College

Tiajhae Nez, Haskell Indian Nations University

Nina Bitsilly, Haskell Indian Nations University

Second-Team All-Conference (6-10 Place Finishers)

Merisha Long, Haskell Indian Nations University

Yanibah Begay, Haskell Indian Nations University

Averi Vance, Spartanburg Methodist College

Deanna Teller, Haskell Indian Nations University

Bella Shields, Spartanburg Methodist College

Champion of Character

Lily Hamlett, Florida College

Mia Betancourt, Florida National University

Deanna Teller, Haskell Indian Nations University

Letitia Bahongwerhe, Spartanburg Methodist College