Bismarck's University of Mary cross country teams secured first place in both the men's and women's divisions at the Marauders Tune-Up race held Friday at McDowell Dam. The event, which served as a regular-season finale, featured teams from across the region, including Jamestown, Minot State, Northern State, and local competitor Bismarck State College.
In the men's competition, the University of Mary Marauders topped the field with a total of 27 points. Jamestown followed closely in second place with 30 points, while Minot State placed third with 93 points. Bismarck State College secured fourth place with 113 points, and Northern State rounded out the top five teams with 123 points.
Josiah Demaris of the University of Mary led all runners, finishing first individually with a time of 25:33.1. Demaris was observed leading runners around a turn during the race at McDowell Dam. The Marauders demonstrated strong depth, placing several athletes within the top ten. Nick Lind took fourth place with a time of 26:45.8, immediately followed by Joseph Fromherz in fifth at 26:46.4. Max Lefor secured eighth place with a time of 27:04.0, and Luke Bartunek finished ninth at 27:04.9. Other notable U-Mary finishers included Ian Butman in 11th (27:14.0), Jacob Windsor in 13th (27:17.3), and Zacarias Troutman in 16th (27:44.8). Joseph Ringhand finished 28th (28:43.6), and Ethan Olsen was 33rd (29:13.3) for U-Mary. The University of Mary rested leading men's runner Gideon Hammah for Friday's regular-season finale meet at McDowell Dam.
Bismarck State College's men's team saw Michael Pfliger lead their contingent, finishing 17th overall with a time of 27:46.9. Pfliger was noted leading a pack of runners down a straightaway at the event. Other strong performances for the Mystics included Derek Oswald, who finished 22nd with a time of 28:14.6. Noah Bedlion placed 29th at 29:04.1, Nathaniel Schumacher was 37th at 29:31.9, and Reid Ressler finished 40th with a time of 30:21.8.
On the women's side, the University of Mary also claimed the team title, accumulating 43 points. Jamestown placed second with 48 points, followed by Northern State in third with 62 points. Minot State finished fourth with 104 points, and Valley City State took fifth place with 119 points.
While Jamestown's Lydia Franson was the overall individual winner with a time of 21:10.6, the University of Mary’s Victoria Stepka secured second place, finishing with a time of 21:36.2. Stepka was pictured running down a straightaway during the race. The Marauders women's team also showed significant strength in numbers, with Amanda Overgaauw finishing eighth at 22:31.1, Sarah Grotberg in tenth at 22:48.9, and Hannah Westin in 11th at 22:59.1. Holly Fromherz secured 12th place (23:03.1), Cierra Bornemann 13th (23:12.1), and Giselle Jahner 14th (23:12.7). Amber Rosemeier finished 15th (23:18.9), Emma Hehn 16th (23:24.6), Gianna Frasher 19th (23:40.6), Ellyn Engels 21st (23:59.7), and Briley Farris 23rd (24:09.8). Katherine Ryan finished 27th (24:41.0), Taylor Bourgoine 37th (26:38.5), and Lynette Kalthoff 39th (27:51.6).
Bismarck State College's women's team saw Brynn Crane finish 24th overall with a time of 24:23.0. Crane was also depicted running down a straightaway during the meet. Other contributors for the Mystics included Sundriana Shane, who finished 33rd at 25:33.7, and Macy Crane, who placed 34th with a time of 25:37.4. Rutendo Masangwi rounded out Bismarck State's listed runners, finishing 45th at 29:08.8. The strong performances from both the men's and women's teams marked a successful close to the regular season for the University of Mary.
