By: Julia Haber ~Staff Writer~

The Xavier cross country team concluded its 2016 season on Friday, Nov. 11, in Madison, Wisc. Xavier competed in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional, where the women’s team placed 17th out of 32 teams while the men’s team placed 25th out of 30 teams.

At the front of the pack for the women in the 6k was junior Madeline Britton, who placed 32nd out of 222 girls, with a time of 20:48. This ranked as the sixth fastest time in Xavier history and is Britton’s second fastest time in her collegiate career. She led the team in several meets with record times throughout the year.

Next up for the women was senior Delainey Burnett, who finished 79th with a time of 21:51.

The women’s team performed well in meets such as the All-Ohio Invitational, where it placed ninth, the Louisville Classic, where it placed 15th, and in the Big East Championship, where it finished sixth.

Leading the men’s side in the 10k was junior Garrett Knapik, who finished 114th out of 206 men with a time of 32:54. This is the 19th fastest time in school history and was one of Knapik’s best collegiate races. Coming in next was junior William Becker, who placed 126th with a time of 33:11. The men’s side had its best performances in the Queen City Invitational, where it placed third overall, and the National Catholic Championship, where it placed eighth.

Coach Ryan Orner wished both teams had performed a little better in the NCAA Regional and wants to get the teams into the top 20 moving forward.

He has high hopes for the squad heading into the 2017 season.