JOPLIN, Mo. — The Pittsburg State University men's cross country team finished in fourth place at the 2025 NCAA Division II Central Regional to Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course Saturday (Nov. 8).
The top three finishing teams – Northwest Missouri State University, Washburn University and East Central University – earned automatic qualifying berths to the 2025 NCAA Division II National Championships in two weeks. The Gorillas will now wait to see if they receive one of 10 at-large berths to nationals.
Pitt State had four runners turn in All-Region performances Saturday. Redshirt junior
Nathan Hinrichs paced the Gorillas in the 10-kilometer race, finishing fourth overall in 30 minutes, 26.40 seconds. Redshirt junior
Dylan Sprecker placed sixth in 30:33.80, redshirt senior
Travis Sickles finished 12
th in 31:01.94 and redshirt junior
Tyler Atkins placed 23rd in 31:24.47. Redshirt junior
Jordan Kilonzo (74
th, 32:49.32) rounded out the Gorillas five scored positions.
MIAA champion NWMSU captured the regional crown with a low score of 72 points. WU (104), ESU (116), Pitt State (118) and Augustana (127) rounded out the top five team finishes. NWMSU's Aziz Mohammed turned in the fastest time in the race, crossing the finish line in 29:53.48.
The Pitt State men are seeking their 10th all-time trip to the NCAA Division II National Championships. The Gorillas qualified to nationals in each of the past four seasons (2021-2024). Pitt State posted a program best seventh place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championships at Sacramento, Calif.
