ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Tara Ozinga posted another top-15 finish for Highland cross country at the 2025 Griffon Invitational, posting a 5k time of 19:36.8 in a strong field. She was the third-fastest NJCAA runner in the meet, extending past Indian Hills CC's Tiffani Koonce in the finish chute.

On the men's side, David Welchert, Cayden Crabtree and Nathan Johnson got their first exposure to the longer 8k distance at the college level. Welchert again delivered a sub-6:00/mile pace, with a time of 29:28.7. Crabtree was just slightly over the 6:00/mi pace, finishing in 30:26.2, while Johnson posted a time of 31:47.2.

The Scotties are back at it next week, returning to Lawrence, Kan., for the Billy Mills Classic, hosted by Haskell Indian Nations University. The women's 5k begins at 6 p.m. with the men's 8k following at 6:30 p.m.