Men's Cross Country | 9/18/2025 4:01:00 PM
Emporia State Cross Country
at JK Gold Classic
Mahoney Golf Course • Lincoln, Neb.
Saturday, September 20 • Men's 8K at 10:00 a.m. | Women's 5K at 10:50 a.m.
Live Results |
Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: at Griffon Invitational
Saturday, October 4 • Women at 8:00 a.m. | Men at 8:45 a.m.
MWSU Cross Country Course • St. Joseph, Mo.
HEADING NORTH
Emporia State travels to Lincoln, Neb. to take part in the Greeno-Dirksen Invitational co-hosted by the University of Nebraska and Nebraska Wesleyan. The 2025 season marks the 35th annual Greeno/Dirksen meet, which began in 1990, when Nebraska and Nebraska Wesleyan combined meets. There are 25 men's and 24 women's teams entered in the meet ranging from junior college and NAIA teams through NCAA Division I.
LAST RUN
The Emporia State cross country teams produced a pair of seventh place team finishes at the JK Gold Classic hosted by Wichita State.
On a muddy and sloppy course
Dylan Hunter had the best finish for the Emporia State men. He ran 19:18.51 to place 14th in the six kilometer men's race.
Carson Fouard was the second Hornet runner with a time of 20:00.36 to finish in 37th place.
Lucas Kreutzer was 52nd in a time of 20:31.14 while
Evan Benoit ran 20:37.76 to place 61st overall.
Darren Klukas finished 75th in a time of 21:01.99 to round out the Hornet scoring. He was followed closely by Elijah Edwards in 76th place and
Treyton Laurance in 78th place.
Mason Bina paced the Emporia State women. She covered the five kilometer course in 20:10.69 to place 32nd with
Elizabeth Willhite three spots behind her in a time of 20:15.53 to place 35th overall.
Brooklyn Nolte was the third Hornet finisher in 20:46.95 to place 47th while
Emma Bartholome was 56th in a time of 21:04.99.
Heidi Grimmett rounded out the scoring for Emporia State with a tie of 22:11.51 to finish in 74th place.
THE COACH
Justin Hill is in his second year as head cross country coach at Emporia State and will be in charge of the middle distance and distance runners for the Hornet track and field program. Hill was the director of operations and assistant cross country coach for the Hornets from 2021-24. He served as meet director for Emporia State's regular season home meets in addition to overseeing the operational aspects of the Hornet cross country and track and field programs.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
The top five finishers for the Hornets at the JK Gold were all either freshmen or sophomores. Sophomore
Dylan Hunter picked up where he left off last year and was the top placer for Emporia State while sophomore
Carson Fouard was the second finisher for the Hornet men. Freshman
Lucas Kreutzer was the third Hornet finisher followed by fellow freshman
Evan Benoit.
Mason Bina led the Hornets for the seventh straight meet dating back to last season. Junior
Elizabeth Willhite was the second runner in Wichita for the Emporia State women. Freshman
Brooklyn Nolte
LAST YEAR'S GREENO-DIRKSEN
Both the Hornet men and women finished in 13th place among the 22 teams competing at last year's Greeno-Dirksen.
Treyton Laurance was the top finisher for the Hornet men, running 26:23.22 to place 33rd overall.
Dylan Hunter ran 26:45.09 to place 49th over the eight kilometers.
For the women
Mason Bina ran 20:06.16 to place 90th while
Emma Bartholome was 111th with a time of 20:32.41 over five kilometers.
MIAA PRESEASON POLLS
The MIAA released the 2025 Cross Country Coaches Polls and the Emporia State women are ranked eighth and the men tenth to start the season.
The Hornet men return three of their top four runners from last season. Sophomore
Dylan Hunter was the top finisher for Emporia State at both the MIAA Championships and the NCAA Central Regional.
Three of the top five Emporia State women return led by
Mason Bina. The senior was the top finisher for Emporia State in all six of her races last season.
UP NEXT
Emporia State will take part in the Griffon Invitational on Saturday, October 4 in St. Joseph, Mo. The meet will start bright and early with the women running at 8:00 a.m. and the men to follow at 8:45 a.m. on the MWSU Cross Country Course.
