Jonker Takes Gold at Lyon College Invitational

BATESVILLE, Ark.  (9/6/25) – Marizenne Jonker led the way for the Williams Baptist University women's and men's cross country teams with a first place finish at the Lyon College Invitational on Friday evening.

Jonker set a new course record with a time of 20:31 to take her first race win as an Eagle.  It is her highest placement since finishing second at the Trojan Invitational on Oct. 12, 2024.

Sharon Strydom followed with a fifth place finish with a time of 22:30.  Abigail Williams finished 14th (27:15), Kaedynce Miller finished 17th (29:49), Jill Johnson finished 18th (33:35), and Rachel Dudley rounded out the squad with a 19th place finish (36:56).

As a team, the Lady Eagles finished in second place behind the meet champion Mineral Area Cardinals.

Brady Barr led the way for the Eagles on the men's side, finishing 20th with a time of 21:42 in his WBU Cross Country debut.  Gabriel Jones followed close behind in 21st place with a time of 22:07.

Cody Carden finished 25th (25:56), Dylan Richardson finished 26th (26:47), Esteban Gonzalez finished 28th (29:12), and Ben Hackler finished 29th (30:50).

The Eagles finished third in the meet as a team.

Next, Williams cross country take part in the Blue Mountain Topper Trails Classic in Blue Mountain, Miss. on Saturday, Sep. 27.  The women's race is set to begin at 9 a.m., then the men will take off at 9:45 a.m.