Buoyed by a trio of all-conference performances – the most since 2012 – the Monmouth College men's cross country team ran to a second-place finish at Saturday's Midwest Conference Championships in Beloit, Wis. Monmouth's women finished a solid fifth on the Beloit Golf Club Course.

      Just 16 seconds separated the Fighting Scots' top three men who each earned their first all-MWC honor. Cooper Pauley led the award-winning pack with a 26:33.2 over the 8K course, just six seconds out of third place. A pair of sophomores – Tate Heiple and Bryent Van De Wostine – was right behind Pauley, running a 26:42.3 and 26:49.1, respectively to help Monmouth post 83 points. Defending champion Grinnell outdistanced the field with a 33 point total.

      The Scots added top seven points from Tyler Bland who ran a 27:40.9 to place 27th, two spots ahead of Jay Gray's 27:46.1. Joe Stewart and Tanner Heiple rounded out the scoring seven, clocking a 28:29.5 and 29:06.8.

      Joanna Podosek led the women with her first all-league award. The junior clocked a 23:14.1 on the 6K course to place seventh, just eight seconds out of a top five spot. Sophomore Caitlyn Allen narrowly missed earning her second all-league honor in as many years, placing 23rd with a 24:10.8. Kate Saulcy crossed the finish line in 28th position with a 24:31.9 before Monmouth's 4-6 pack ran a 15 second split. Jessica Salinas led the group with a 25:06.0 to place 40th, while Kelci Foss turned in a 25:11.4 and Amy Wollenburg posted a 25:21.4. A 26:45.8 by Katelynn Propes rounded out the Scots' scoring.

      The Scots next turn their attention to the Midwest Regional in Oshkosh, Wis., on Nov. 12.