Warriors Open Season Under the Lights at Augustana Twilight

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. —Midland University opened its 2025 cross country season on Friday night under the lights at the 14th annual Augustana Twilight at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The meet featured 25 teams, including five from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). The Warriors raced in the final two events of the evening, with the women placing 24th in the 5,000-meter race and the men running a 4-mile race, finishing 17th.

Lucas Hjortkjaer led the Warriors, placing 23rd overall with a personal-best time of 19:29.94. Braden Taylor and Koen Steenblok also started the season strong, recording personal bests of 20:15.18 (73rd) and 20:43.65 (123rd), respectively.

On the women's side, Danika Leuenberger (20:50.58, 208th) and Maddie Bergstrom (21:36.25, 246th), along with Bridget Meier (20:50.64, 209th) and Carly Carstens (21:50.09, 252nd), all posted personal bests.

Other competitors for the men were Christen Olsen (22:12.37, 264th), Kelvin Korir (22:53.33, 307th), Preston Penney (24:25.16, 354th), and Jay Stoa III (24:39.37, 359th). On the women's side, Belinda Jepkemboi (23:19.02, 284th), Delanie Tally (23:47.11, 291st), and Judy Chepkorir (27:19.98, 312th) also began their seasons Friday night.

Next up for Midland is the Greeno/Dirksen Invitational on September 20 at Mahoney Park Golf Course in Lincoln, Nebraska.