Henderson, Tenn. – The Columbia College men's and women's cross country teams competed in the American Midwest Conference Championship meet this morning held on the campus of Freed-Hardeman University. With all six runners finishing within the top 10, the 18^th-ranked men's team nailed down their spot as AMC Team Champions and qualified for the NAIA National Championship with 17 points. The women's squad placed second overall, just three points shy of first place winner, William Woods University.

The Cougars were led by Tommy Skosky who finished first overall with a time of 27:05. Teammates Michael McCulloch (27:18) and Tyler Lawson (27:21) followed Skosky, coming in second and third respectively. Seth Schenck (27:33) finished next for Columbia in fifth place with Devin Sander (27:35) crossing the line close behind in sixth place. Alex Slater rounded out the scoring for the Cougars in ninth place with a time of 28:28. With his first place overall finish, Skosky was named as the AMC Runner of the Year. The team's leader, coach Tim Cornell, was also awarded as AMC Coach of the Year.

Emily Shultz was the top finisher on the women's side, placing second overall with a time of 19:54, qualifying her for the national meet. Lydie van Deursen, a former volleyball player at CC, crossed the line in seventh place with a time of 20:24. She was the highest finishing newcomer on the day, making her the AMC Newcomer of the Year. Julia Montgomery was the third finisher for the Cougars, placing 18^th in 21:44 while Rachel Davis finished 24^th with a time of 22:10. Madison May 22:31 (26) and Abby Beshuk 26:04 (50) rounded out the scoring for the Cougars.

Skosky, McCulloch, Lawson, Schenck, Sander, Slater, Shultz, and van Deursen all earned first team all-conference honors for their top-10 finishes.

The men's team along with Shultz will compete in the NAIA National Championship meet on Saturday, November 21^st, in Charlotte, North Carolina.