The first day of fall was officially this past weekend, but this did not mean for cooler temperatures or falling leaves. Instead, many runners were met with adverse weather conditions. There were plenty of key match-ups this past weekend including Pre-Nationals. As usual, I urge you the reader to comment on anything I missed and anything you would like to see in future columns.

Citadel Invitational- Lenoir-Rhyne’s Kate Griewisch was third overall and first scorer in the DII division with a time of 18:51.88 over the 5k course. She was followed by the Lees-McRae trio of Kira Shoemaker (19:46.37), Hannah Henderson (20:23.19) and April Harris (20:46.83). Lees-McRae took the team title with 25 points followed by Lenoir-Rhyne (49) and Converse (81).

In the men’s race, it was Lees-McRae’s Craig Simpkins who took top DII honors with a 26:53.91 over the 8k course. He was followed by teammate, Michael Davis (26:59.12) and Lenior-Rhyne’s Jakob Maidens (27:29.28). Lees-McRae took first with 25 points followed by Lenoir-Rhyne (47) and Newberry (112).

Pre-National Invitational- On an extremely muddy and rain soaked course it was Ferris State’s Tina Muir that took top honor with a time of 21:48.22 over the 6k course. Southern Indiana’s Mary Ballinger was second in 22:09.21 and Tampa’s Jessica Butler was third in 22:35.21. In the team title, Tampa took first place with 29 points followed by Southern Indiana (56) and Ferris State (82).

After having to alter the course earlier in the week due to weather, the men got an 8k peek at the National course. After the first 2k lap, it was Harding’s Daniel Kirwa and Philip Biwott and Abilene Christian’s Amos Sang and Cleophas Tanui who had separated themselves from the rest of the field. Coming through the 5k mark, Kirwa and Sang had dropped their teammates. Neither could drop the other even after the final climb. It came down to a sprint around the hairpin turn with Harding’s Daniel Kirwa taking first with a time of 24:35.53 followed by Amos Sang in 24:38.43. Biwott was third in 24:54.41. Stonehill took the team title with a score of 42 points and with their top 5 in the top 15. They were followed by Southern Indiana (69), Harding (98) and Abilene Christian (106).

Roy Griak Invitational- Minnesota-Duluth’s Morgan Place won the DII Maroon Race covering the 6k in 21:55.3. She was followed by Grand View’s Obsie Birru (22:09.0) and Minnesota State Mankato’s Ali Paul (22:10.9). Minnesota-Duluth took the team title with 78 points followed by Manitoba (83) and Augustana (85).

Southwest Baptist’s Michael Piece won the DII Maroon Race in 25:22.2 over the 8k course. Minnesota State Mankato’s James Krajsa was second with a time of 25:40.0 followed by Regina’s Wyatt Baiton (25:47.0). Southwest Baptist took the men’s title with 61 points followed by Concordia Nebraska (86) and Augustana (97).

Stanford Invite- Seattle Pacific’s Jessica Pixler was the first attached runner to cross the line in the time of 20:21 over the 6k course. Chico State was the first DII school coming in fifth with 187 points. Seattle Pacific was 12^th with 334 points. Chico’s Jimmy Elam was the first DII finisher coming in tenth with a time of 24:30 over the 8k course in the men’s race. Chico was fourth overall with 158 points.

Western Mountaineer Open- With Adams State not sending their A-team, Mesa State took the title with 26 points. It was Mesa State’s Alexis Skarda who took the individual title running the 5k course in 18:43.63. Adams State’s heavy hitters were also missing in the men’s race. Western’s Iain Donnan won the 7.4 k race in 24:03.31. Western took the team title with 19 points followed by Adams State with 38 points.