LAWRENCE, Kan. — (Results) With temperatures in the 20's, 321 runners braved the elements to compete in the 58^th Annual NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championships at Rim Rock Farm.  The Warriors, the California Pacific Conference Champions, ran with heart in their final meet of the season. 

While the Warriors are accustom to running many of their meets in the heat, they would not let the cold weather intimidate them to run their best.  Senior Wayne Smith led the Warriors with a time of 26:16 to place 142^nd. In his final race, Smith improved his time by fourteen seconds from the Cal Pac Championship race.  He also improved on his 2012 National results, where he finished 214^th place with a time of 27:13. 

Sophomore Christian Wichmann ran one of his best races as he was the second Warrior to cross the line in 240^th place, with a time of 27:14.  He improved on his 2012 National time of 28:46, which placed him in 289^th place.  Cal Pac Runner of the Year, Michael Basuini, battled through sickness to place 248^th with a time of 27:20. The sophomore improved on his 2012 Nationals time of 27:34.  Junior transfer Jonathan Hernandez had a great showing in his first National Championship race.  Hernandez crossed the line in 260^th place with a time of 27:30.  Sophomore Patrick Johnson finished in 292^nd place with a time of 28:16 in his first National Championship race.  Senior David Cummings completed his four year career with the Warriors with a strong race.  Cummings placed in 302^nd place with a time of 28:50, while freshman Craig Elliot finished in 304^th place with a time of 29:00.

As a team, the Warriors placed 30^th out of 32 teams. 

Oklahoma City brought home the team title. Eric Avila led the way for Southern Oregon, outpacing the 313-runner field to earn the individual title. Avila covered the 8k course in 24:02, besting runner-up Sam Atkin of Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) by 19 seconds.

"We overcame the mental battle with the cold and had a strong finish to the season," stated Coach Parker Daniells.  "I am very proud of this group and all they have accomplished.  They represented William Jessup, our community, and God with great character and work ethic." 

This was the Warriors final season representing the California Pacific Conference as they move to the Golden State Athletic Conference in 2014.