Leavenworth, Kansas — Spurgeon College opened the 2026 cross country season Friday evening at the Spire Sunset Showdown, with Zechariah Slater and Abbygale King leading the Knights across the Spire Cross Country Course.
Slater paced the men in 29:56.6, the only Knight under 30 minutes on the night. King led the women in 26:22.7, holding off teammate Brynna Weed by less than 20 seconds in a tight front pairing for the Spurgeon women.
Men's Results
Slater set the tone up front, and Eli Escen followed close behind in 30:18.4 to give the Knights a pair of runners within 22 seconds of one another at the top of the scoring group. Patrick DeRonde (31:13.1) and Max McCleary (31:21.9) came through eight seconds apart to round out the top four, keeping Spurgeon's front pack tight through the opening race of the year.
Coleman Snead was the fifth Knight home in 34:00.6, followed by Silas Kimberley (35:29.7), Ethan Rodgers (36:00.8), Josh Hartley (36:21.5), Ethan Harden (37:13.7) and Grant Smith (42:16.8). Ten men finished for Spurgeon.
Spurgeon men's results:
Women's Results
King and Weed ran as a duo at the front for the Knights, separated by 19.3 seconds at the finish in 26:22.7 and 26:42.0. Mayse Fritz was next across in 29:12.0, with Sylvie Kammerer completing the Spurgeon four in 34:58.2.
Spurgeon women's results:
- Abbygale King – 26:22.7
- Brynna Weed – 26:42.0
- Mayse Fritz – 29:12.0
- Sylvie Kammerer – 34:58.2
National Recognition
Both Knights leaders were honored by the NCCAA following the meet, with King named NCCAA Female Athlete of the Week and Slater named NCCAA Male Athlete of the Week.
Up Next
Spurgeon returns to action Saturday, Sept. 19, at the MSSU Southern Stampede on the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course in Joplin, Mo. The women are set to run at 8:30 a.m., with the men following at 9:15 a.m.
