By Jayson Henderson

The K-State women’s cross country team opened its season with a win at the Platte River Rumble Gold 5k on Friday, its first team victory since October 2023.

The Wildcats scored 34 points, placing three runners in the top five and nine in the top 50. Senior Cecilia Fisher was runner-up in 17:21.52, followed by Grace Meyer in third and Christine Jerono in fifth.

Paige Baker (13th) and freshman Payton Fink (14th) also scored for K-State. Four other freshmen made their debuts.

The men’s team finished third in the 6k with 79 points, behind Iowa Western and Northwest Missouri State. Sophomore Jackson Esquibel (9th) and freshman Brock Olsen (10th) led the way, with four more Wildcats in the top 25.

K-State’s next meet is the Joe Piane Invitational on Oct. 3 at Notre Dame.