ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Hamline men's and women's cross country teams competed in the MIAC Championships on Saturday, hosted at their home Highland 9 course in St. Paul. 

Men's Highlights

The Hamline University men's cross country team closed out the 2025 MIAC Championships with a gutsy team effort, highlighted by five personal bests and three season bests on a challenging conference course.

Senior Lucas LiaBraaten led the way for the Pipers, finishing 71st overall in 28:07.7, marking a season best and earning 49 team points. LiaBraaten capped his Hamline career with a steady, determined run that anchored the team's front pack.

Right behind him, sophomore Wade Tuggle delivered a breakout performance, clocking a personal record of 28:14.8 for 79th place and 55 points.
Sophomores Luis Kruchten (118th, 29:35.4 PR) and first-years Jayden Rentz (122nd, 29:48.0 PR) and Brady Sullivan (127th, 30:04.5 PR) all recorded lifetime bests in their MIAC Championship debuts or sophomore campaigns.

Adding depth, junior Jasper Roetter Gresback (153rd, 32:16.9 SB) and sophomore Brandon Li (154th, 32:40.2 SB) both turned in season-best marks, while first-years Joseph Rivera Fuentz (33:29.3 PR) and Aye Roh Htoo (34:52.8) gained valuable championship experience in their first collegiate postseason.

The team finished 11th out of 11 teams competing with 302 points. St. Olaf took first place as a team with 33 points, followed by Carleton with 84 points, and Macalester with 96 points. 
The Pipers showcased clear growth throughout the fall season, finishing the year with one of their most complete team efforts.

Women's Highlights

The Hamline University women's cross country team closed out the 2025 MIAC Championships with an inspiring performance marked by six personal records and three season bests, showcasing the team's growth and resilience throughout the fall season.

Junior Brooke Baumann led the charge for the Pipers with a breakout race, finishing 40th overall in 23:43.1—a personal best and one of her strongest career showings in maroon and gray. Baumann's performance set the tone for a day filled with progress and grit across the lineup.

Close behind, junior Anabel Bradley posted a personal-best 24:50.6 for 76th place and 58 team points. Senior Alicia Maddux wrapped up her collegiate career with a strong season-best 25:21.4 for 95th, providing veteran leadership in her final MIAC appearance.

Sophomore Tessa Meyers (118th, 26:24.8 PR), first-year Avery Smieja (128th, 26:43.9 PR), and sophomore Briyanna Burkhardt (132nd, 26:50.7 PR) each recorded personal bests, demonstrating the team's continued development and depth.

Additional highlights came from sophomores Lilli Carpentier (28:45.2), Deliah Neria (28:56.2 SB), and juniors Savannah Janes (29:20.4 PR) and Tatiana Otero-Ortiz (29:57.6 SB), who all contributed strong efforts in their season finales.

The Pipers finished 10th out of 11 teams competing with a total of 289 points. Carleton placed first as a team with 30 points, followed by St. Olaf with 80 points and Gustavus with 116 points. 

With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging underclass talent, the Pipers capped the 2025 campaign on a high note. Their collective improvement and record-setting performances point to a bright future as Hamline continues to build momentum.