The Park University cross country team was in Columbia, Mo. on Friday for the Gans Creek Classic, where a host of NCAA, NJCAA, and NAIA teams converged. The Pirates came way with 5th place with 176 points and were the second fastest NAIA program at the meet.

Park edged a fellow Heart of America Athletic Conference school (RV) Benedictine by 48 points to put in perspective.

Tom Kuehnel was the leader for Park with a 25:56 in the 8k for 34th, while Cayden Walker and Caden Peters were both top 50 as well with 40th and 47th, respectively. Walker ran a 26:02, while Peters was close behind at 26:16.

Palmer O'Connor was in on the action in 70th place for a 26:29.

Outside of the 26 minute mark were Jakob Johnston and William Norris in 113th and 129th. Johnston ran a 27:06, while Norris crossed at 27:24.

Cody Hammond was the seventh Pirate through the finish line, taking 156th with a 28:05.

See the remaining racers for the Pirates below and the full results here. RESULTS

187th	Justin O'Brien	29:20
189th	JT Taylor	29:27
234th	Will Bailey	34:38