The Wichita State cross country team closed its season over the weekend in the NCAA Regional Tournament in Lawrence.

The Shockers finished with two, top 10 finishes in the regional. The women placed eighth in the 6K race, the men cracked into the top 10 in the 8K. 

Head coach Kirk Hunter achieved his goal of leading both squads to top 10 finishes. Hunter acknowledged the difficulty in doing so. 

“We will need to have a great meet in order to [reach the top 10 for both squads],” Hunter said before the race. 

Junior Sidney Hirsch led the women in the 6K. Hirsch ranked 20th with a time of 20:54.5. Rebekah Topham capped off her freshman season with a 28th-place finish, with a time of 21:07.0. Other finishers for the Shockers included: Lycia Holton in 61st, Emilea Finley in 66th, Kayla Deighan in 112th, Jordan Maestas in 128th and Paige Wells in 164th. 

Senior Paul Raymond led the men’s team. Raymond’s time of 31:07.6 was fast enough for 36th place in the 10K. Redshirt sophomore Brady Johnson followed, finishing 41st in a time of 31:13.2. Other finishers for the men included: Ugis Jocis in 64th, Kyle Larkin in 75th, Gage Garcia in 110th and Nathan Wickoren in 142nd. 

The Shockers exceeded the Midwest regional rankings. The women ranked ninth and the men ranked 14th before the race. 

The Shockers will return all but three seniors next season. Paul Raymond, Kayla Deighan and Savannah Wright will graduate.