Columbia, Mo. — Columbia College cross country returned to its home course Friday for the Gans Creek Classic, highlighted by a career-best run from senior Hailey Gerard on the women's side and a runner-up finish from senior Kalieb Haileselassie on the men's side.

Gerard led the Columbia women in the 6k, crossing 18th overall in 22:05.6, the fastest 6k of her career, as the Cougars finished 17th among the field with 477 points. Junior Lauren Berhorst and freshman Ellie Hartley followed in 124th and 152nd, and senior Xavia Cullers and sophomore Nataly Gutierrez rounded out the scoring five.

On the men's side, Haileselassie put together the run of the day for the Cougars, finishing runner-up overall in the 8k in 24:35.3, the second-fastest 8k of his career, edged only by Oklahoma City's Ayenew Devany. Senior Will Cherrington (20th) and junior Marcos Lara (40th) backed him up, while sophomores Sean Wigger and Nicky Yaros rounded out the scoring five as Columbia finished 7th as a team with 159 points, edging out programs like Fort Hays State and Taylor.

The men's squad also turned in a wave of personal bests. Lara (25:58.0) and Yaros (26:23.5) both set 8k PRs, as did Laik Graham (26:40.3), Landen Chapman (26:54.4), Wesley Robertson (27:00.7), Max Stephan (27:28.4) and Liam Lyon (28:06.9).

Women's 6K Finishes

Pl	Athlete	Time
18	Hailey Gerard	22:05.6
124	Lauren Berhorst	23:49.7
152	Ellie Hartley	24:17.5
188	Xavia Cullers	25:04.4
216	Nataly Gutierrez	26:05.7
229	Addison Shoffner	26:58.6
238	Christian Steuck	27:47.3
239	Paige Thielen	27:48.4
240	Kenzie Miller	27:53.3

Men's 8K Finishes

Pl	Athlete	Time
2	Kalieb Haileselassie	24:35.3
20	Will Cherrington	25:30.9
40	Marcos Lara	25:58.0
66	Sean Wigger	26:18.1
68	Nicky Yaros	26:23.5
86	Laik Graham	26:40.3
101	Landen Chapman	26:54.4
105	Wesley Robertson	27:00.7
129	Max Stephan	27:28.4
134	Daniel Menefee	27:30.3
173	Liam Lyon	28:06.9