Breakthrough for TMU XC at Highlander

The cross-country teams at The Master's University competed in the Highlander Invitational on Saturday in Riverside, Calif.

Junior All-American Jack Anderson placed third overall in the men's 8000m with a personal best of 23:54. On the women's side, senior captain Hannah Fredericks' 20:34 in the 6000m placed second overall. 

Anderson's time was the third fastest in Mustang history, only trailing Brint Laubach and NAIA XC champion John Gilbertson. It was a 14-second personal best and one of the fastest in the NAIA this season. 

"Today's race was a prime opportunity to set my eyes towards heaven and worship God through suffering," Anderson said. "It was a hard race, but He provides everything I need to run courageously. All the praise belongs to Him for the outcome."

After Anderson, the Mustangs packed in a tight group to come away with a third-place team finish, closely behind two NCAA D-I schools. Senior captain Connor Ybarra (24:19) achieved a personal best with his top-10 finish.  

Senior Andrew Cross' 24:58 effort was a nine-second personal best and was good enough for a top-30 finish. This was Cross' first personal best in more than two years and a breakout race. 

"We recited Psalm 121:1-2 on the starting line and it was on my mind the whole race," Cross said. "Our strength truly does come from the Lord and this race is just another opportunity to suffer for His glory." 

The women's team also had an impressive day, despite missing one of their top runners. The Mustangs moved up two spots in the final 2000m to snag a fourth-place finish as a team. 

"It is always such a sweet blessing to line up next to my best friends and thank the Lord for the opportunity to race another time," Fredericks said. "There was some great competition today which was a blast, it's always so fun to rub shoulders with other great collegiate runners."

Junior All-American Emma Nelson (21:30) finished 19th overall and Alyssa Lovett (21:56) had a breakthrough race to finish 34th. Erini Shaker (22:35) moved up 15 spots and Ellen Palmgren (22:49) gained 36 places in the last 500m. 

The Mustangs will have a week off before they return to defend their titles at the GSAC Cross Country Championships on Nov. 8 at Central Park in Santa Clarita, Calif.