JOPLIN, Mo. - Northwest Missouri State's men's cross country team finished 24th out of 34 teams in the 2023 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships. Drew Atkins was named a 2023 NCAA Division II All-American after finishing 34th. 

Northwest scored 582 points in the championship meet, despite a strong effort by Drew Atkins. Atkins led the Bearcats finishing 34th with a time of 30:15.5, a new career-high in the 10K event. With his effort today, Atkins has moved up to fourth all-time in Bearcat history. Atkins was also named an All-American after finishing Top 40 individually. Atkins is only the eighth Bearcat in program history to be named an All-American, and the first since 2019.

Nate Mueller came in 70th place after putting in a solid effort at the end of the race. Mueller improved 18 places after the 9K mark and finished in 30:50.3. Behind Mueller was Dillon Grover in 145th (31:37.5), Tyler Blay in 187th (32:06.6), Brandon Mundorf in 223rd (32:40.3), Cooper Greenslade in 225th (32:41.4), and Grayson Tapp in 245th (33:23.3). 

Northwest Missouri State XC Men's All-Americans:
1974 - John Wellerding
1975 - John Wellerding
1978 - Vernon Darling
1997 - Robby Lane
2018 - Karim Achengli
2019 - Karim Achengli, Jhordan Ccope
2023 - Drew Atkins

Northwest Men's 10K All-Time Records:
1. Jhordan Ccope - Joplin, Mo. - 29:38.1 - 2019
2. Karim Achengli - Joplin, Mo. - 30:04.6 - 2018
3. Jacob Nkamasiai - Joplin, Mo. - 30:04.87
4. Drew Atkins - Joplin, Mo. - 30:15.5 - 2023
5. Augostine Lisoreng - Joplin, Mo. - 30:25.9 - 2019
6. Fedrick Kipyego - Joplin, MO. - 30:31.98 - 2021
7. Jake Norris - Joplin, Mo. - 30:33.89 - 2022
8. Ryan Darling - Joplin, Mo. - 30:54.6 - 2012
9. Nate Mueller - Joplin, Mo. - 30:39.9 - 2023
10. Vernon Darling - Maryville, Mo. - 30:55:00 - 1978
11. Brayden Clews-Proctor - Joplin, Mo. - 30:56 - 2016
12. Jim Ryan - Kenosha, Wisc. - 31:03:00 - 1983
13. Austin Goetsche - Joplin, Mo. - 31:05.26 - 2022
14. Trevor Ramsdell - Joplin, Mo. - 31:12.97 - 2022

Northwest Men's NCAA Finishes:
1968 - 18th 
1972 - 12th
1973 - 14th 
1974 - 22nd
1976 - 27th
1978 - 16th
1979 - 20th
1984 - 16th 
1997 - 13th
1998 - 13th 
2016 - 19th 
2019 - 5th
2023 - 24th 

Northwest Mens 10K Results:
34. Drew Atkins - 30:15.5 (ALL-AMERICAN)
70. Nate Mueller - 30:50.3
145. Dillon Grover - 31:37.5
187. Tyler Blay - 32:06.6
223. Brandon Mundorf - 32:40.3
225. Cooper Greenslade - 32:41.4
245. Grayson Tapp - 33:23.3

2023 Division II Championship Team Results:

1. Wingate - 70 points
2. Colorado School of Mines - 79 points
3. East Central - 108 points
4. West Texas A&M - 142 points
5. Western Colorado - 168 points
6. Adams State - 169 points
7. Grand Valley State - 183 points
8. Colorado Christian - 292 points
9. Chico State - 309 points
10. Azusa State - 317 points
11. Pittsburg State - 370 points
12. CSU-Pueblo - 387 points
13. Fort Lewis - 445 points
14. Lee (Tenn.) - 470 points
15. Augusta - 484 points
16. Western Washington - 488 points
17. Charleston (W.V) - 495 points
18. New Mexico Highlands - 536 points
19. UC-Colo. Spgs. - 537 points 
20. Mississippi College - 537 points
21. Lewis - 549 points
22. Catawba - 556 points
23. Cal Poly Pomona - 571 points
24. Northwest Missouri State - 582 points
25. Florida Southern - 595 points
26. Saginaw Valley - 605 points
27. Alabama Huntsville - 668 points
28. Davis & Elkins - 674 points
29. Walsh - 723 points
30. Roberts Wesleyan - 823 points
31. Shippensburg - 824 points
32. So. Conn. St. - 848 points
33. Franklin Pierce - 904 points
34. Alaska Anchorage - 906 points