JOPLIN, Mo. – Minnesota State men's cross country crossed the finish line 21^st at the NCAA Division II Division II Central Region Championships Saturday at Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course on Saturday.
 
Ray Ure ran the 10K race in 32:23.0 for 72nd place and was MSU's top finisher. Adam Bohm was close behind in 74^th with a time of 32:23.95.
 
East Central University (Ada, Oklahoma) ran a balanced race with only one top-10 finisher but five in the top-20 for 71 points and the team region championship. Northwest Missouri State (76), Pittsburgh State (103), Washburn (175) and Nebraska-Kearney (176) rounded out the top five. The Mavericks came in 11^th at the same event in 2023.
 
"When you're in one of the best regions in Division II, these meets are tough," said head coach Ben Held. "We ran well as a team and worked together but lacked a sense of urgency throughout the race. On to indoor season."
 
Ryan Hartmann (Augustana) ran a first place individual time of 30:07.99, followed by Grant Bradley (Northwest Missouri State) with a time of 30:16.26.
 
The Mavericks averaged 33:09 and held a spread of 1:48. Other top finishers included Nikolai Schmanski (87^th, 32:40.42), Luke Scholtes (152^nd, 34:09.53), Erek Ross (154^th, 34:11.04), Caden Speikers (161^st, 34:11.04).