Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The Central Methodist men's and women's cross country programs competed in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships hosted by Mount Mercy University Saturday morning in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

The event featured all 14 Heart schools represented by 277 total athletes. The CMU men posted a fourth place finish, improving six spots from last year's conference standings, and the CMU women finished in eighth place out of 14 teams. 

On the men's side, senior Radovan Kemboi finished third in the 8K with a final time of 25:21, good enough to earn all-conference honors and qualify for the NAIA Cross Country National Championships. He is now a four-time all-conference honoree and a four-time national qualifier. 

Fellow teammate Graham Lemmons nearly missed earning all-conference honors, as he placed 21st with a time of 26:33.8. Ely Yoseph (28th), Shawn Kiptoo (34th) and Exavier Coburn (68th) rounded out the top five runners for the Eagles. 

Grand View won the men's title with a final score of 24 points, taking seven of the top 10 individual spots including overall champion Trevor Albert. 

On the women's side, Katherine Bangert was the higest finisher for Central, as the junior ran the 5K in 19:55, good enough for 25th. Teammate Madeline Wieseman finished 35th with a final time of 20:35.7. Claire Sykes (45th), Darly Camilo (47th), and Isabella Ross (71st) rounded out the top five runners for Central. 

Benedictine claimed the team title with 49 place points, just edging second place Baker who tallied 56 points. Morgan Lawson of Grand View claimed the individual championship with a final time of 18:22.1. 

The NAIA Cross Country National Championships will take place Friday, Nov. 19 in Vancouver, Wash. 

To view the complete results of this year's Heart Cross Country Championships, please click here. 

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