The Nebraska women’s cross country team claimed the first-place team finish at the competitive Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Mo., on Friday morning with 86 total points.
Freshmen Berlyn Schutz and Ali Bainbridge provided NU’s top finishes, each placing within the top 10 during their first 6K race at the collegiate level. Schutz clocked a 20:43.8, securing fifth place. The Lincoln-native has been the first Husker to cross the finish line in every race this season and has earned a pair of meet titles at the Augustana Twilight and the Greeno/Dirksen Invite. Bainbridge, a newcomer from Sioux Falls, S.D., secured eighth place with a time of 21:08.7. Brynna McQuillen ran a 21:18.5 to earn 11th place. This marks the first time three Husker women have finished in the top-15 during a 6K race since the 2017 Greeno/Dirksen Invite.
Taya Skelton covered the course in 21:45.9 and Cami Merickel clocked a 22:03.2 to take 27th and 36th. Rounding out the top seven for the Big Red, Emma Ralston grabbed 61st (22:32.9) and Hayley Trotter placed 72nd (22:40.2).
Mizzou, the hosts of the meet, came in second in the team race with 112 points, while Wichita State finished third with 135 points.
On the men’s side, Trevor Acton ran the 8K in 25:02.3 to place 39th. Sam Kirchner added a 66th-place finish with a 25:30.3 and Cal Puskar placed 83rd with a time of 25:47.1. Jerry Jorgenson crossed the line in 25:56.8 and Grant Wasserman ran a 25:57.5, taking 95th and 97th. The team placed 15th with 341 points.
Next, Nebraska competes at the Platte River Rumble in Ashland, Neb. at 1 p.m. (CT). The meet is hosted by Creighton and will take place at Mahoney State Park.
Women's Lineup (6K)
5. Berlyn Schutz – 20:43.8
8. Ali Bainbridge – 21:08.7
11. Brynna McQuillen – 21:18.5
27. Taya Skelton – 21:45.9
36. Cami Merickel – 22:03.2
61. Emma Ralston – 22:32.9
72. Hayley Trotter – 22:40.2
104. Jacqueline Abanses – 23:14.0
129. Sadye Daniell – 23:34.1
165. Lindsey Blehm – 24.03.3
174. McKenna Lovehaug – 24:21.4
176. Zoie Ecord – 24:23.4
203. Katelyn Mullinax – 25:29.5
224. Lauren Blehm – 26:32.7
Men's Lineup (8K)
39. Trevor Acton – 25:02.3
66. Sam Kirchner – 25:30.3
83. Cal Puskar – 25:47.1
95. Jerry Jorgenson – 25:56.8
97. Grant Wasserman – 25:57.5
101. Colby Erdkamp – 26:01.0
108. Eric Carothers – 26.08.9
114. Joe Volkmer – 26:14.7
170. Nolan Miller – 27:07.8