Katie McCune wins Stampede, leads Arkansas to team title

JOPLIN, Mo. – Razorback senior Katie McCune posted a time of 16 minutes, 50.8 seconds over a 5,000m course to win the Missouri Southern Stampede on Saturday morning, leading Arkansas to a successful team title defense with a tally of 34 points.

McCune improved her previous best time on the Tom Rutledge course by nearly a full minute when she competed for Drury, having run 17:50.6 in 2018.

“Katie is a young lady who had a great career at Drury, and as a grad student we’re super excited about her future,” said Arkansas women’s head coach Lance Harter. “She kind of showed a little flash of what we’re going to see, especially during track season.

“She’s going to be a major contributor for us in cross country. She ran a big lifetime best on this course, as Drury comes to this meet every year, and that was a fulfilling performance for her.”

Runner-up in the race was Jentrie Alderson of Pittsburg State in 16:53.8 with Razorback Gracie Hyde repeating her third-place performance from last season, clocking 17:04.4 compared to her 16:59.5 on this course last season.

Teams finishing behind Arkansas included Pittsburg State (91), Southwest Baptist (117), Rogers State (137), Cal State East Bay (166), Fort Hays State (166), Missouri Southern (175), St. Mary (259), Oklahoma Baptist (291), and Ouachita Baptist (302).

A total of 25 teams produced a score in the field of Division I and II schools. The Razorbacks team score of 34 points came from an adjusted finish of 1-3-5-8-17.

“Team-wise we had some people who are freshmen and need race experience at this level,” noted Harter. “Or we had some people who are still working on their comeback from an injury. For example, Gracie was out during the past track season with plantar fasciitis.

“So, it was nice to see as a unit they went out and took command of the race. Then they never let go. We’re really pleased the result and it’s a nice springboard when we put the whole team together next week for the Oklahoma State Jamboree.”

McCune was one of three newcomers among the Arkansas top five. Nyah Hernandez, a junior transfer, placed fifth in the race with a 17:05.1 and was the third Razorback across the finish line while freshman Mary Ellen Eudaly finished 18th in 17:40.9 and claimed the fifth scoring position among the Arkansas crew.

Adeotte Vaughan placed ninth in the race and was the fourth finisher among the Razorbacks with a time of 17:18.3. Freshman Mackenzie Rogers finished 19th in 17:44.0 while redshirt freshman Heidi Nielson placed 24th with a 17:50.0.

Claire McCune, competing unattached, placed sixth in a time of 17:05.5. Previously on this course, competing for Drury, she posted a best of 17:13.2 to place sixth in 2021.

Photos by Justin Maskus, Missouri Southern