Kansas State University Athletics

K-State Finish the Regular Season with Pre-National Invitational
Oct 16, 2025 | Cross Country
Wildcats will have competition of multiple nationally ranked teams
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The K-State men's and women's cross country teams will end the regular season competing in the Pre-National Invitational on Friday (October 17) at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Mo., hosted by Missouri. Tickets can be purchased starting at $12 on Ticketmaster.
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The women's first 6k race of the season will begin at 10 a.m., with the men's 8k starting at 10:45 a.m. Other Big 12 Conference teams set to compete include USTFCCCA nationally ranked BYU and Oklahoma State as well as Kansas.
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This time last year, K-State competed in the Bradley Pink Classic in Peoria, Ill., with the women finishing 11th with 304 points, the men in 15th place with 390 points. During that race, then-junior Grace Meyer recorded her fastest 6k time and her first under 21 minutes at 20:47.9, the no. 10 time in the K-State school records.
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The Wildcats last ran in the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational on October 3 with the women's team claiming 9th place with 291 points in the Blue Division, the men finishing 6th with 206 points in the Gold Division.
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Three women recorded their best 5k times to move up in the K-State school records, senior Cecilia Fisher is no. 9 with a time of 16:59.4, Meyer is tied at no. 12 with Deb Pihl at 17:06.0, while sophomore Stella Miner is no. 19 with her first 5k time of 17:17.8.
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Leading the men's team in the 8k with a 5th place overall finish, sophomore Jackson Esquibel finished with a time of 24:28.4, the no. 16 fastest time in the school records.
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How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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The women's first 6k race of the season will begin at 10 a.m., with the men's 8k starting at 10:45 a.m. Other Big 12 Conference teams set to compete include USTFCCCA nationally ranked BYU and Oklahoma State as well as Kansas.
Â
This time last year, K-State competed in the Bradley Pink Classic in Peoria, Ill., with the women finishing 11th with 304 points, the men in 15th place with 390 points. During that race, then-junior Grace Meyer recorded her fastest 6k time and her first under 21 minutes at 20:47.9, the no. 10 time in the K-State school records.
Â
The Wildcats last ran in the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational on October 3 with the women's team claiming 9th place with 291 points in the Blue Division, the men finishing 6th with 206 points in the Gold Division.
Â
Three women recorded their best 5k times to move up in the K-State school records, senior Cecilia Fisher is no. 9 with a time of 16:59.4, Meyer is tied at no. 12 with Deb Pihl at 17:06.0, while sophomore Stella Miner is no. 19 with her first 5k time of 17:17.8.
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Leading the men's team in the 8k with a 5th place overall finish, sophomore Jackson Esquibel finished with a time of 24:28.4, the no. 16 fastest time in the school records.
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-- k-statesports.com --
 How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
K-State XC | Joe Piane Invitational Recap
Saturday, October 04
K-State CC | Notre Dame Invitational Post Meet Interviews - Jackson Esquibel
Friday, October 03
K-State CC | Notre Dame Invitational Post Meet Interviews - Cecilia Fisher
Friday, October 03
K-State CC | Notre Dame Invitational Post Meet Interviews - Coach Kate Bucknam
Friday, October 03