The Ouachita Baptist University men's and women's cross country teams will compete in the Great American Conference Championship on Saturday, Oct. 25, hosted by the University of Arkansas–Monticello at the Monticello Band Field Course.
The women's 5K race is set to begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the men's 8K race at 9:30 a.m. Arkansas-Monitcello will present the awards ceremony, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. following the conclusion of the men's race.
The Ouachita women's cross country team enters Saturday's meet with their eyes set on claiming back-to-back GAC titles. The Tigers were picked as preseason favorites in the GAC coaches' poll, and have captured two team victories at the Bob Gravett Invitational and the Tiger Invitational in Arkadelphia.
Leading the Tiger ambush is senior Allison Hylkema, who set a program record two weeks ago with a personal-best time of 17:43.6 at the Tiger Invite. Hylkema runs on strength and relies on her veteran command of each course, which makes her a strong individual contender for the conference title.
The Tigers boast of deep roster featuring Kate Nachtigal (18:10.0) and Elise Knight (18:20.1), who have both delivered strong performances throughout their senior campaign. Juniors Blair Turpen (18:21.4), Ellie Hoemann (18:35.4), and Emmeline Burrow (18:36.6) provide crucial scoring depth for the Tigers and are all capable of placing inside the top 20. Sophomores Lucy Holden (18:38.7) and Meg Swindle (18:52.2), plus juniors Emelia Ericksson (18:59.1) and Hannah McGuire (18:59.6) round out a talented rotation for the Tigers.
The Ouachita men's cross country team enters the GAC Championship poised to challenge the projection that had the Tigers fourth in the preseason poll. The men claimed two team victories on their home course this fall, sweeping the Bob Gravett Invitational and the Tiger Invitational.
Freshman Caleb Greenwich has led the charge in each race this season, highlighted by a program-record 24:31.6 time at the Texas A&M Invitational. Greenwich was named GAC Cross Country Runner of the Week three times this season and could be a front-runner for the annual Freshman of the Year honor.
Sophomore Gabe Metoyer (24:57.2) and junior Evan Armitage (25:01.7) have shown the ability to compete near the front of any field and are capable of being selected for All-Conference with a sub-25-minute finish. Juniors Gabriel Greenwich (25:18.7), Tate Stacks (25:18.8), Noah Embrey (25:39.4) and senior Dylan Dew (25:57.9) have been key contributors to Ouachita's running strategy, while freshmen Henry Woods (25:44.9) and Isaac Pohlmeier (26:04.2) round out the pack.
The Ouachita women's team has a mission to repeat as conference champions and secure a return to the NCAA regional meet, while the men look to surge up the standings and contend for their best finish in program history. Ouachita intends to defend its title against a deep field of 12 GAC member programs, including Arkansas-Monticello, East Central, Harding, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Oklahoma Baptist, Ouachita Baptist, Southern Arkansas, Southern Nazarene, Southwestern Oklahoma State, and Southeastern Oklahoma State. After both meets conclude, live results and post-meet coverage will be available at OBUtigers.com/coverage.
