LAWRENCE, Kan. - Highland Cross Country opened the 2025 season at the Bob Timmons Rim Rock Classic on Saturday with a small group of runners - four on the men's side and a lone entrant in the women's 5k - but made a solid impact in the event, as Tara Ozinga finished 12th in a field comprised mostly of NCAA Division I squads.

In the women's 5k, the host University of Kansas squad nearly completed a pristine finish, taking seven of the top 10 overall spots and claiming all three podium spots. Oral Roberts was able to slot runners in fourth and fifth, with a pair of unattached runners claiming sixth and 11th. Ozinga put in a strong finish, holding off ORU's Morgan Lawrence in the finish chute with a time of 19:45.1, .7 ahead of Lawrence.

David Welchert turned in a solid time in his collegiate debut for Highland, finishing 50th in an equally strong men's field with a sub-six-minute mile pace and an overall time of 21:51.6.

The Scotties have another tune-up meet in a week's time, competing in the Platte River Rumble Gold on Sept. 5. The women's 5k gets underway at 6 p.m. with the men's 6k following at 6:45.

Women's 5k Individual
12 - Tara Ozinga 19:45.1 (6:21.4/mi)

Men's 6k Individual
50 - David Welchert 21:51.6 (5:51.8/mi)    
63 - Cayden Crabtree 23:19.4 (6:15.3)
68 - Nathan Johnson 24:10.8 (6:29.1)
70 - Marcal Myles 28:34.5 (7:39.8)    

Full results - TFRRS