Eagles Compete at Blue Mountain Topper Trails Classic

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. (9/29/25) – The Williams Baptist University men's and women's cross country teams competed in the Blue Mountain Topper Trails Classic hosted by Blue Mountain Christian University on Saturday morning.

Marizenne Jonker led the way for the Lady Eagles in the 5k race, finishing with a time of 20:40.76 for a sixth place finish.  Sharon Strydom finished not far behind in 12th place with a time of 22:10.86.

Abigail Williams finished in 35th place with a time of 24:55.28, Kaedynce Miller finished 45th with a time of 29:00.56, Jill Johnson finished 47th at 30:24.09, and Rachel Dudley rounded out the team in 54th place with a time of 36:02.03.

As a team, the Lady Eagles finished fifth of seven teams with a score of 106.

On the men's side, Gabriel Jones and Brady Barr led WBU in 38th and 39 places, respectively.  Jones posted a time of 35:38.75, and Barr put up a time of 36:11.52 in the 8k.

Dauren Zhenbhav made his debut for the Eagles in the race, finishing 49th with a time of 39:56.56.  Dylan Richardson finished 53rd with a time of 43:27.51, and Cody Carden finished 54th at 44:58.23.

Esteban Gonzalez finished in 56th place with a time of 47:53.18, and Ben Hackler rounded out the team in 57th place with a time of 48:08.20.

As a team, WBU finished seventh with a total score of 177.

Next, the Eagles will compete in one final tune-up before the AMC Championships on Saturday, Oct. 11 in the Trojan Invitational in Hannibal, Mo.  The women's race is set to begin at 10 a.m., with the men's race to follow at 10:40 a.m.