The Aurora University Men's cross country team closed out their 2024 season today at the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Cross Country Championships hosted by Augustana College. The team competed against some of Division III's best competition, lining up against teams from Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Arkansas.

The Spartans had a successful day at Saukie Golf Course, finishing in 18th place against a challenging Midwest field of 31 teams. This is two spots higher than the Spartans finished at the same meet last year.

It was a veteran squad that toed the line for Aurora, with five of their seven runners holding senior status. The seniors flexed their experience and strength with over half of the lineup achieving impressive personal or season best times.

Cris Valencia finished out his season much the way he started it, leading the Spartans as their first runner across the line. His time of 26:36.6 scored him a top 80 finish in the region. It was also a two second personal best, a spectacular way to finish out a strong five year cross country career in the Aurora singlet.

Armando Acosta ran a spirited race as Aurora's second man, finishing close behind Valencia in 26:44.8. This was a 13-second personal best.

Jacob Bohnert was the next Spartan finisher, running a 39-second season best at 26:52.8. This was his fastest 8-kilometer race since 2021.

Sam Brown put forth a gutsy effort, as he has all season, to be the fourth Spartan man at 27:20.8.

Freshman Naif Al Harby proved that there is strong potential for the future of Aurora University Men's cross country, completing the course in 27:22.2, a 26-second personal best.

Liam Evans and Chase Pruett rounded out the Spartans' scoring for the final time this season, running 27:39.1 and 29:19.5, respectively.

Full results can be found here.