Bowling Green, Ky. - Freed-Hardeman cross country runners approached the starting line in Bowling Green, Ky. at Phil Moore Park with a chance to extend their season at the Mid-South Conference Championships with a bid to the NAIA National Championship race.

Mary Pearce, a 2-time National Championship qualifier, looked to earn her third bird in 3 years. Finishing in third place overall, her highest finishing place in this race, earned her that bid. She finished with a 6k time of 23:20. The women's team finished in the middle of the bunch, earning fourth place among seven teams. Behind Pearce, Hannah Gehlert finished 27th, with a time of 25:30, followed by Billie Rose Johnson in 26:00 and in 34th place. Senior Zola Dorris finished 39th and in 26:29, and Bella Lamb wrapped up the scoring in 42nd place with a time of 27:03.

The men's team finished in 5th place, headlined by Barrett Poe, who earned his second consecutive National Championship bid, extending his cross country career. Poe finished in 13th place with a 26:31 8k time. Daniel Puckett finished in the top-20 with a 27:14 time. Lucas Black was 36th with a time of 28:45, and Luke Phillips used a 1:23 PR to be the fourth finisher in 51st place. Brock Windham was the final scorer in 54th place with a 30:11 finishing time. 

Pearce and Poe will compete at the NAIA National Championship in Vancouver, Wash. on November 19.