Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney cross country teams finished third (women) and fifth (men) at the 2025 MIAA Championships Saturday morning in Pittsburg, Kan.

The women started the day with a 6k while the men followed and navigated an 8k course. A top 20 finish is good for All-MIAA honors (1-10 first-team; 11-20 honorable mention). The meet was held at Fair Oaks G.C. 

The 16th-ranked UNK women tallied 71 points to record the program's third top three finish in the last five years. A tight race saw 18th-ranked Pittsburg State (55) literally slip past 30th-ranked Rogers State (56) to win its fourth straight crown. No. 23 Northwest Missouri (102) was well behind the top three.

On the men's side, UNK had its eighth straight top five finish. The Lopers scored 135 points to come in behind defending champ and 7th-ranked Northwest (54), 14th-ranked Pitt State (65), 17th-ranked Washburn (77) and Missouri Southern (124).

Earning All-MIAA honors for a third straight year is Omaha senior Nick Abdalla (11th/25:09:89) with Central City senior Ella Buhlke (7th/21:50.22) and McCool Juncition sophomore Kassidy Stuckey (9th/21:56.40) repeating as Top 20 finishers. Earning all-league honors for the first time is Kearney freshman Abigail Burger (8th/21:50.47) with Kansas freshman Lily Brewer (21st/22:31.24) missing it by one spot or six seconds.

Omaha junior Noelle Abels (26th/22:43.72) was the women's other scorer with South Sioux City sophomore Mesuidi Ejerso (24th/25:34.83) and Kansas freshman Drew Elliott (29th/25:46.24) cracking the top 30. Finally, St. Paul junior Conner Wells (26:05.89) and Lincoln sophomore Carter Hohlen (26:07.00) were 36th and 37th, respectively.

This year's NCAA Central Regional meet will return to Missouri Southern on Nov. 8