ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University men's cross country team claimed its second team title of the season with a strong 25-point showing at the Griffon Invite, as the Bearcat women also delivered their best performance of the season, earning 72 points to secure a third-place team finish.
 
Bearcat Men's 8K
The Northwest men secured its second team title of the season at the Griffon Invite, flying through the 8K race with a 25-point total, marking what is believed to be the lowest score in program history.
 
Senior Grant Bradley continued his stellar fall season by winning the individual title with a personal-best time of 23:54.32, just shy of the second-best time in program history, held by teammate Nate Mueller. Mueller finished third, crossing the line at 24:01.69. Drew Atkins placed fourth in 24:16.38, and Brandon Mundorf rounded out the top 10 for the Bearcats, finishing ninth with a time of 24:39.61. Tyler Blay just missed the top 10, placing 11th with a new personal-best time of 24:56.27.
 
The Bearcat men's depth was on full display, as Riley Witt (25:13.78), Grayson Tapp (25:19.63), Sam Shipp (25:35.60), and Barnabe Gabillet (25:37.25) all posted top 25 finishes. 
 
In total, the Northwest squad notched 14 new personal-best times on the MWSU Cross Country Course.
 
Northwest Men 8K Final Times - Griffon Invite
1.Grant Bradley – 23:54.32*
3. Nate Mueller – 24:01.69
4. Drew Atkins – 24:16.38
6. Brandon Mundorf – 24:39.61*
11. Tyler Blay – 24:56.27*
17. Riley Witt – 25:13.78*
21. Grayson Tapp – 25:19.63*
24. Sam Shipp – 25:35.60*
25. Barnabe Gabillet – 25:37.25*
33. Levi Allen – 25:50.03*
35. Dillon Grover – 25:52.67
40. Alex Jackson – 26:06.46*
49. John Langill – 26:18.49*
52. Elijah Dix – 26.33.14*
59. Otto Dreher – 26:53.93*
67. Owen Martin – 27:08.40*
71. Ryker Pithan – 27:24.05*
88. Austin Goetsche – 28:23.82
94. Ethan Easter – 28:56.24
95. Owen Wise – 28:59.63
*Indicates new personal best time
 
Men's 8K Griffon Invite Team Finishes

1. Northwest Missouri State (25)
2. Nebraska-Kearney (63)
3. Central Missouri (81)
4. Missouri Western (84)
5. Missouri Southern (100)
6. Rogers State (176)
7. Rockhurst (218)  

Bearcat Women's 5K
The Bearcat women secured a strong third-place finish in the 5K at the Griffon Invite, recording their lowest team score of the season with 72 points. Senior Alyna Thibault led the way for Northwest, crossing the finish line in sixth place with a time of 18:33.96. Lydia McGlocklin followed in 12th, posting a time of 18:46.95. Mayson Hartley (18:52.58) and Bree Mauro (18:53.83) placed 16th and 17th, respectively. Olivia Bakker (19:22.15) and Reagan McGuire (19:24.24) finished back-to-back in 24th and 25th to secure Northwest's 72-point total, capping off a season-best performance for the Bearcat women.
 
Northwest Women 5K Final Times – Griffon Invite
6. Alyna Thibault – 18:33.96
12. Lydia McGlocklin – 18:46.95
16. Mayson Hartley – 18:52.58
17. Bree Mauro – 18:53.83*
24. Olivia Bakker – 19:22.15
25. Reagan McGuire – 19:24.24
29. Shelby Harris – 19:39.04
31. Lou Maquaire – 19.45.56
35. Ava Gehlen – 19:49.51
39. Bailey Robinson – 20:02.46
56. Marissa Roberts – 20:44.66
61. Amanda Seggerman – 21:05.50
*Indicates new personal best time
  
Women's 5K Griffon Invite Team Finishes

1. Nebraska-Kearney (28)
2. Rogers State (49)
3. Northwest Missouri State (72)
4. Missouri Southern (83)
5. Rockhurst (166)
6. Missouri Western (183)
7. Truman (208)
8. Central Missouri (223)
9. Washburn (253)  

Both teams aim to build on their strong performances as they head into the 2024 MIAA Championships on Saturday, Oct. 26, returning to the MWSU Cross Country Course.