NATCHITOCHES—In the first regular season race for Northwestern State in a decade, it was appropriate that the most veteran member of the teams took center stage and lead the way.

John Klein, a fifth-year senior, placed 10^th in a stacked race full of Southland Conference members, clocking a personal-best 19:07.25 in the men's 6K. That led a group of six Demons.

On the women's side, it was Lalaina Wood, who ran a 16:23.42 in the women's 4K, also leading a group of six, as she finished 24^th.

"It is really great to be able to run at the home course," head coach Payten Vidourek said. "I am satisfied with how the men and women ran today. There is a lot of room to improve for us, but it was a solid first race on the home course."

Klein's run was his third consecutive top 10 finish after finishing second and third in his first two meets of the season.

After just finishing behind McNeese's Ryan McCarthy at the McNeese State Opener, Klein squeaked out a victory in the personal head-to-head battle, as McCarthy finished six seconds behind the NSU senior.

"It was a solid effort, I would say," Klein said. "I was definitely a bit too excited there at the beginning and got out kind of hot at the beginning of the race, but I'd like to think I closed pretty well there at the end. But overall, it was a good effort, a good pre-test."

Finishing behind Klein on the men's side was freshman Andrew Kent, who ran a 20:37.76 to finish 27^th.

Following Klein and Kent were Owen Rue (21:00.45) in 31^st, Kaden Elliott (22:14.34) in 33^rd, Mason Bayne (22:30.46) in 34^th and Selton Sanders (23:31.02) in 39^th.

"John still ran a great race, but not the best we've seen him run this year," Vidourek said. "I think the younger guys showed that if that happens, they can make up that ground. I was really proud of Andrew and Owen today. Racing against McNeese two weeks ago, they were a lot closer in this meet and their confidence has gone up."

As a team, the men placed fourth out of the five teams competing, finishing with 110 points, while the women finished fifth with 142 points.

In addition to Wood, three others—Cherie Neal (22:20.18) in 40^th, Teodora Samac (25:24.74) in 41^st and Mikayla Mondello (25:24.96) in 42^nd—all ran personal bests.

"I am feeling okay," Wood said. "I always try to do better. I had a goal in mind that I did not achieve, but a PR is a PR, and it just motivates me to keep pushing harder and reach the goals I set for myself."

While it wasn't a personal best, Gracie Evers posted a season best time of 20:40.31 to finish in 38^th. Thea Ring (20:50.40) came in right behind her teammate in 39^th.

Next up is a week off for the cross country teams before competing at McNeese once again at the Cowboy Stampede on Sept. 27. It is the first of two meets remaining for NSU prior to hosting the SLC Championships on Oct. 31.