NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Loras College men's and women's cross country teams competed against a loaded field Saturday at the Running of the Cows Pre-Nationals, hosted by Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. Both squads raced in the championship divisions, with the men competing in the 8,000-meter race and the women taking on the 6,000-meter course.

The Loras men placed 22nd in the 35-team Navy Championship field with 636 points. Senior Ryan McGrath led the way for the Duhawks, crossing the finish line in 25:14.2 to place 40th overall and score 40 points for Loras. 

Max Lowe followed as the Duhawks' second finisher, clocking a time of 25:52.2 and scoring 115 points. Senior Colby Cryer was third for Loras in 26:12.4, while junior Aiden Ruiz finished shortly behind in 26:16.4.

Freshman Isaiah Engle rounded out the Duhawks' scoring five with a time of 26:22.0. The five scoring runners combined to give Loras 636 points, with just under 68 seconds separating McGrath and Engle. 

On the women's side, Loras finished 26th in the 35-team Navy Championship race with 705 points. Sophomore Keelee Leitzen turned in the top performance for the Purple and Gold, placing 16th overall and 15th among scoring runners with a time of 21:56.7 over the 6,000-meter course. 

Lily Molloy was the second Duhawk across the line, finishing in 23:12.5, while junior Ivy Glendening followed in 23:31.0. 

Senior Mika Fields recorded a time of 24:17.8 as Loras' fourth finisher before sophomore Savannah Davis completed the Duhawks' scoring five in 24:20.9. The five performances combined for Loras' 705-point team total. 

Up Next: Both teams will race next on Oct. 17 at the Augustana Interregional