Men’s Cross Country Falcons post top three finish at Spire Sunset Showdown, Falcon Women come in fourth

Leavenworth, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons opened the 2026 season with a top three finish by the Men and a fourth-place result for the Women at the Spire Sunset Showdown tonight (Aug. 28) in Leavenworth, Kan. A solid group of freshmen factored in heavily for both teams, with first-year runner Joaquin Miranda (26:51) leading the Falcon Men with an 11th place individual finish. Another freshman, Laurenz Steiss (27:15.8) was second on the Falcons and 22nd overall. Sam Wright (27:41.3) came in 30th, with two more freshmen Gavin Hickert (29:01.8) and Brody Whitaker (29:02.0) making up the Falcons' top five...