COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Grace College cross country season peaked in the finale of the 2024 season.

The Lancers made history during Friday morning's 2024 NAIA National Championships.

Grace had three individual NAIA All-American honors, and the women's squad earned its best finish in team history.

The women placed eighth in the nation out of 35 teams; it marked Grace's highest finish for the women. The men ended in 19th place, outdoing their pre-race ranking.

Cole Johnston earned All-American recognition for the men, and Esther Cameron and Kylie Sauder reached All-American status during the women's race as well.

Sauder and Cameron remained connected throughout the race; Sauder was 20th overall at 21:26.4, and Cameron was 22nd in 21:30.0.

Sauder became a four-time NAIA All-American in cross country, and Cameron earned her first All-American nod. Cameron becomes the third different individual in the women's program to collect an NAIA All-American award.

Caroline Kolb ran a massive personal best to finish third for the women; she placed 75th overall in a time of 22:29.0.

Cece Mitchell was just 10 seconds behind Kolb at 22:39.0 (91st place) to end in the top-100 runners.

Addison Grady (22:53.3) also finished under 23 minutes, Morgan Welch crossed the finish line in 23:13.0, and Cassandra Cross was next in 23:54.8.

"Our women ran as one and echoed what we talked about all season; they were stronger together than when they were apart. Pack running and encouraging one another was our strength today," said Grace head coach Brian Dewey. "Kylie and Esther ran strong and confident, and Caroline's 38-second PR was a big reason for our finish."

For the men, Johnston ran a 24:24.5 to finish in 19th place overall. He collected his first NAIA All-American honor, and he is the fourth individual in the men's program to reach All-American status.

Brandon Kleber posted a time of 24:57.7 to finish 69th in the field.

Brady Hunsberger (25:37.1), Justin Van Prooyen (25:39.4) and Austin Wilson (25:45.1) finished in a tight pack, and Luis Loera (26:45.2) and Luke Nier (28:41.0) rounded out Grace's squad.

"Our men entered the race a bit banged up with two of our top five facing injuries. They both gutted out good performances, and they were helped by great days from Austin and Justin who both had PRs. Those performances, coupled with Cole's All-American finish, enabled us to finish 19th which was higher than we've been ranked all season," Dewey said.

FULL RACE RESULTS

WOMEN'S RESULTS

20. Sauder - 21:26.4

22. Cameron - 21:30.0

75. Kolb - 22:29.0

91. Mitchell - 22:39.0

112. Grady - 22:53.3

151. Welch - 23:13.0

212. Cross - 23:54.8

MEN'S RESULTS

19. Johnston - 24:24.5

69. Kleber - 24:57.7

174. Hunsberger - 25:37.1

181. Van Prooyen - 25:39.4

194. Wilson - 25:45.1

276. Loera - 26:45.2

311. Nier - 28:41.0