RESULTS

ROCK ISLAND, ILL.—The Bethel University women's cross country team competed at the Augustana (Ill.) Interregional Invitational, held at the Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island, Illinois on Saturday. The Royals finished in eighth place out of 29 teams with 273 points. UW-La Crosse won the team title with 25 points, while Maddie Merna (unattached) claimed the individual crown with a time of 21:15.6. 

Hannah Barberg paced the Royals with a career-best 23:21.0, which put her in 45th place. Ava Nibbelink was next with an 85th-place time of 24:06.5, followed by Emerson Mullen's 87th-place mark of 24:08.9. Olivia Danielson's career-best 24:09.2 put her in 89th place, while Brylee Cavanaugh's 24:18.6 was good enough for 97th place. Kiara Gentz (24:48.7) and Talya Arend (25:17.4) rounded out the top seven Bethel finishers.

Abby Williamson (25:28.0), Kinley Steckler (25:37.0), Paige Budde (25:40.5), Marianna Zanton (25:57.5), Elliana Leach (26:58.2), Abby Peterson (30:15.9), and Sophia Vantries (36:19.4) also represented Bethel.

The Royals will compete at the 2026 MIAC Championship in Northfield, Minnesota on Saturday, October 31. St. Olaf will be the host school. Festivities will begin at 11 a.m.