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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – For the first time in program history, the No. 11-ranked Washburn men's cross country team can call itself MIAA champions.

After finishing third, fourth and second the last three years, the Ichabods got the monkey off their back with the first title for the men's cross country team since the team was resurrected  for the 2016 season. The Ichabods edged rival Pittsburg State by three points, 48-51. Washburn placed five runners in the top 20 and three in the top six to capture the historic championship.

Leading the way for the Ichabods was Sebastiaan Horselenberg, who finished third overall in 24:43.9. He was immediately followed by Esteban Boisseau in fourth place with a time of 24:48.8, while freshman Brody Anderson crossed the finish line sixth in 24:54.9. All three runners earned all-MIAA honors.

Washburn's depth proved to be the difference in the championship race as Lukas Mehl finished 16th overall in 25:06.2 and Adrian Lehman placed 19th in 25:13.6 to complete the scoring five. The Ichabods recorded a team average of 24:57.48 over the 8-kilometer course. Mehl and Lehman both earned honorable mention all-MIAA honors.

Additional contributors included Madden Rutherford, who placed 23rd in 25:18.5, Trent Zimbelman, who was 34th in 25:39.6, and Hunter DeLeeuw, who finished 35th in 25:40.0. Aidan Braun crossed in 59th place with a time of 26:15.4, while Taylor Karcz finished 60th in 26:16.9.

The championship came down to the final scoring positions as Washburn's 48 points narrowly topped the 51 points recorded by Pittsburg State. Nebraska-Kearney finished third with 84 points, followed by Missouri Southern in fourth with 100 points. 

The Ichabods will be in action on Nov. 21 at the NCAA Central Regional Championships in Sioux Falls, S.D.

ALL-MIAA FIRST TEAM
1. Dylan Sprecker, Pittsburg State – 24:19.1
2. Pau Valderrama, Missouri Western – 24:28.9
3. Sebastiaan Horselenberg, Washburn – 24:43.9
4. Esteban Boisseau, Washburn – 24:48.8
5. Dylan Hunter, Emporia State – 24:53.8
6. Brody Anderson, Washburn – 24:54.9
7. Kelton Sorrell, Missouri Southern – 24:56.4
8. John Langill, Pittsburg State – 24:57.6
9. Tyler Atkins, Pittsburg State – 24:58.2
10. Thomas Kubala, Rogers State – 24:58.9
 
ALL-MIAA HONORABLE MENTION
11. Carter Hohlen, Nebraska Kearney – 24:59.7
12. Chase Sorrell, Missouri Southern – 25:01.4
13. Drew Elliott, Nebraska Kearney – 25:03.4
14. Josiah Quinones, Nebraska Kearney – 25:03.8
15. Brody Deniston, Pittsburg State – 25:04.2
16. Lukas Mehl, Washburn – 25:06.2
17. Kelby Connor, Missouri Southern – 25:08.3
18. Nick Kilonzo, Pittsburg State – 25:09.2
19. Adrian Lehman, Washburn – 25:13.6
20. Mesuidi Ejerso, Nebraska Kearney – 25:14.6