NATCHITOCHES, La. (WNTZ) – Northwestern State runners closed out their cross country season on a high note Friday, as nine Demons and Lady Demons posted personal bests during the Southland Conference Cross Country Championships held on NSU’s home course.

The meet marked the final collegiate cross country race for graduate student John Klein and senior Korbin Shumate, both of whom capped their careers with standout performances.

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“It was really nice to be on our home course, and it showed,” head coach Payten Vidourek said. “We did have that home advantage a little bit. Overall, I was pleased with a lot of our athletes today.”

Klein, who led NSU throughout the season, once again paced the Demons with a personal-best 25:22.0 in the 8K race, finishing 60th out of 99 competitors.

“It felt really nice to end my career on a PR,” Klein said. “I hope I set a good precedent for the younger guys in the program.”

Shumate, competing in his first and only meet of the season after battling injuries, clocked a personal-best 26:02.70 to finish 71st overall and second among the Demons.

“I was really nervous with this being my only race of the season,” Shumate said. “But I woke up knowing I was going to go out there and attack it with it being my last cross country race.”

Freshman Andrew Kent (27:41.90) and Mason Bayne (27:43.70) followed close behind, with Bayne setting a personal best. Selton Sanders (29:57.60) also notched a personal record, while Owen Rue (28:55.10) and Kaden Elliott (29:41.30) rounded out the men’s lineup.

Stephen F. Austin’s Nathan Kapel (22:54.80) claimed the individual title as the Lumberjacks swept the men’s podium and took the team championship with 36 points. NSU finished 11th overall with 334 points.

On the women’s side, Wood led the Lady Demons with a personal-best 24:07.00 in the 6K, finishing 63rd overall. It was her first conference race in two seasons after missing most of 2024 due to injury.

“It felt great to go out there and PR by 21 seconds,” Wood said. “It was great to end the season how I wanted to.”

Gracie Evers (29:32.50) finished 81st, while Thea Ring (35:26.40), Cherie Neal (35:30.90), Mikayla Mondello (37:10.90), and Teodora Samac (37:12.10) all ran personal bests to place 83rd through 86th.

Texas A&M–Corpus Christi’s Elizabeth Khatevi (19:44.40) won the women’s race, leading the Islanders to three of the top four finishes. The Lady Demons placed 12th overall with 351 points.

With the cross country season now complete, Northwestern State runners will turn their attention to the indoor track season, which begins in January.