Women's Cross Country 10/9/2026 3:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO Previews National Course Sunday In Kansas

Central Oklahoma Competing In NCAA Pre-Nationals 6k At KU

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Central Oklahoma is back on the race course this weekend when the Bronchos will get a preview of the NCAA national championship course Sunday morning.

Northwest Missouri is hosting the NCAA Pre-Nationals meet – a 6k race at Kansas University's Rim Rock Farm. The MIAA is hosting this December the NCAA Division II Fall Festival, which brings all championship participants to Kansas City for finals in cross country, field hockey, volleyball, and soccer.

UCO will compete in a 6k race for the first time this season.

In three 5k races this fall, Lily Melton has led the way for the Bronchos. The sophomore from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma made her UCO debut in Tulsa with an 18:36 and followed that up with an 18:37 in Joplin, Missouri two weeks later. Last weekend, Melton ran an 18:01 in Arkansas.

Her three times this season – her first three career collegiate races – are each in the Top 15 5k times in UCO history.

Gabija Pukstas was Central's top runner last year during her freshman season. After missing the first two races of her sophomore campaign, Pukstas came on strong last weekend. The sophomore from Stillwater, Oklahoma ran a 18:32 in Arkansas to put her name at No. 8 on Central's all-time 5k list.

Chloe Ezell has also found her name on the list for the Top 20 5ks in school history. She missed the first race of the season in Tulsa but the junior from Edmond posted a 19:03 in Joplin – a Top 20 mark at the time. She then posted an 18:34 in Arkansas, which is currently the 11th fastest 5k in program history.

Central Oklahoma has 13 different runners with official times this season.

UCO will turn its attention to the postseason following Sunday's race. The Bronchos are competing in the MIAA Cross Country Championships in St. Joseph, Missouri Nov. 7 and the NCAA Central Region Championships in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Nov. 21.

The NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Dec. 5 in Lawrence.

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Players Mentioned

Gabija Pukstas: Sophomore

Lily Melton: Sophomore

Chloe Ezell: Junior

Players Mentioned

Gabija Pukstas
: Sophomore

Lily Melton
: Sophomore

Chloe Ezell
: Junior