MARION, Ind. - The Grace College cross country teams opened their season with a solid showing at the 2025 IWU Twilight Invitational, highlighted by a top-10 individual finish on the women's side.

The women, missing a few key runners, still finished fourth out of 17 in a loaded field. Grace only trailed teams ranked in the top-11 in the NAIA, and they beat five teams who were "receiving votes" in the national poll. The men's team placed 15th overall.

Grace's women's team turned in an impressive performance, led by a standout effort from Esther Kleber, who placed ninth overall with a time of 22:47.5. 

She was followed by Tame Sigler in 23rd (23:37.5), giving Grace a strong presence in the top group of the race.

A tight pack of Grace runners contributed to the team's consistency: Addison Grady (36th, 23:58.1), Leah Emch (37th, 24:01.0) and Grace Pettit (41st, 24:08.9) rounded out the top-five scoring positions. 

Faith Spain (24:14.3) and Grace Geller (24:19.6) added depth as the team's sixth and seventh finishers.

Overall, Grace placed nine runners inside the top 70, showcasing early depth. 

The Grace men's team was led by Cole Johnston, who crossed the line in 64th place with a time of 26:05.1. 

Austin Wilson was the team's second finisher, crossing the finish line in 26:22.7, and John Young was third in 26:48.0. 

Aden McCarty (27:04.0) and Hunter Quadlin (27:04.3) finished neck-and-neck.

Rounding out the top seven were Luis Loera (27:16.8) and Carter Clear (27:20.1).

The Lancers will race again next week at Michigan State University, running at the Spartan Invitational on Friday.
 

MEET RESULTS

WOMEN'S RESULTS - 1:58:33

9. Kleber - 22:47.5

23. Sigler - 23:37.5

36. Grady - 23:58.1

37. Emch - 24:01.0

41. Pettit - 24:08.9

47. Spain - 24:14.3

52. Geller - 24:19.6

69. Welch - 24:46.0

70. Cross - 24:48.2

88. Manning - 25:15.4

91. Moon - 25:18.0

93. Scott - 25:18.8

118. Spahr - 26:02.1

123. Johnson - 26:10.8

132. Long - 26:21.4

MEN'S RESULTS - 2:13:24

64. Johnston - 26:05.1

84. Wilson - 26:22.7

108. Young - 26:48.0

128. McCarty - 27:04.0

129. Quadlin - 27:04.3

142. Loera - 27:16.8

148. Clear - 27:20.1

154. Sollars - 27:24.8

171. Hoffert - 27:35.6

197. Bullins - 27:52.5

212. Urbina - 28:14.1

215. McPhatter - 28:22.1

218. Sowles - 28:24.2

219. Askew - 28:27.7

225. Nichols - 28:36.8

226. Dillman - 28:40.7

227. Pinkleton - 28:40.8

241. Fisher - 29:04.1

245. Harrold - 29:12.2

250. Quinones - 29:24.0

260. Olszewski - 29:44.1

262. Robinson - 29:49.0

264. Klein - 29:53.9