Cougar cross country 6th at nationally packed Region VI Championships, Laari second in close finish

Trailing four nationally ranked teams, the Barton Community College men's cross country team came in 6th at the highly competitive Region VI Championships today held at the Colby Country Club.   Averaging 27:26.10 per mile, Barton's total time of 2:17:10.51 beat out another nationally ranked team No. 14 ranked Pratt Community College as the Cougars also placed 4th in the rugged Jayhawk West Division. 

Ghana sophomore Sampson Laari continued his climb in the cross country world as the converted mid-distance runner proved he is a force to be reckoned with averaging 4:58.9 to finish second in 24:45.40, just a 1.5 seconds behind winner Michael Kinuthia of Colby Community College.

Devyn Brotherton joined Laari on the podium as the Wyoming freshman's 26:33.70 earned All-Region honors coming in 11th while also garnering 7th place All-West Division.  Texas freshman Tony Perez also had a strong race finishing 26th overall in a time of 27:32.80.   

Marcus Pastran led a pack of Cougars to come in within a minute of each other as the Abilene freshman place 66th in 28:57.20.  Maryland freshman Darrius Salmond outraced his teammates to come in 72nd at 29:21.40 while Dodge City freshman Elder Colindres' 29:26.90 74th place just beat out McPherson sophomore Brady Holler's 76th place 29:28.20 finish.  Tyler Thornton, the second freshman hailing from Maryland, rounded out the Cougar finishers crossing in 83rd at 29:54.80 while Great Bend freshman Kole Stiner withdrew during the race due to injury.

Barton will next compete at the NJCAA Division I Championships to be held Saturday, November 8, in Lubbock, Texas.