The Iowa State men and women’s cross country teams competed in the NCAA Region V meet last Saturday in Wichita, Kan.

Both teams failed to qualify for the NCAA Championship. However, both teams were hit hard with injuries.

The women were strongly affected with the absence of Emily Martini, one of the team’s top runners.

Meanwhile, the men were forced to run without Samuel Magu, out due to an injury, and All-American David Lichoro, who started the race last Saturday but failed to finish.

Everyone was forced to step up, but it turned out to be a hard obstacle to overcome. However, the women placed seventh.

Alienor Gilchrist led the women with a 24th place finish, covering the 5,000 meter course in 17:58.

Sophomore standout Andrea Crapisi was next to cross the line, finishing 25th. Gayle Nugent finished 64th and senior Erin Bresnan, running in her last meet as a Cyclone, finished at 70th.

Bresnan added that although the season did not end the way everyone wanted it to, everyone contributed.

“As a whole, everyone gave a good effort,” Bresnan said.

Sophomore Andrea Crapisi believed this season was successful even though the Cyclones failed to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

“Everyone’s improved and really helped and supported each other throughout the season,” Crapisi said.

On the men’s side, losing Magu and Lichoro put them in a 16th place finish, but Philemon Too stepped up by placing 15th in a time of 31:38.

Sophomore Matt Williams was next, placing 83rd, while freshman John Sainna finished 101st.

Although the team placed 16th, Too believed this team stayed close together despite all the injuries. “The team was very supportive, and the injuries made it difficult,” Too said.

Although both teams failed to qualify for the NCAA Championships, many positives arose from the season. In the eyes of the players, the season was still successful.

Alienor Gilchrist believed that everyone became more confident and aggressive throughout the season and will be prepared for next year. “We’re headed in the right direction, and we’ll be ready next fall,” Gilchrist said.