In a series of brief recaps, AshfordAthletics.com is taking time to reflect on some key moments from its athletics programs during the fall season. In this final segment, AA.com focuses on men's and women's cross country.

Men's Cross Country

Emerging standout Andrew Drinkall shined on the biggest stage at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Championships to become an NAIA National Qualifier. The junior ended up placing fifth in the conference meet and earned the long trek out to Fort Vancouver, Wash., for the national meet where heavy rains, tight turns and muddy conditions wreaked havoc the entire field.

Drinkall's time of 26:54 in the MCC meet was nearly a minute better than his personal-best 8K time and will ride high confidence heading into his senior year. It was a season to remember for the native of Hooppole, Ill., a middle-distance runner who now has his sights set on focusing to qualify for the NAIA Championships in track and field.

Drinkall anchored a young, up-and-coming squad coached by Tyson Graham, and will be looking to bring some potential company along for the 2010 edition of the NAIA Cross Country Championships.

Graham brought in a class of promising freshmen in Ray Rivera, Rafael Crisosto, Patrick McClain, Aleksander Jakobsen and Julius Oteng, to serve as immediate building blocks for the future while contributing to the track and field program.

Rivera had one of the fastest times in school history in the earlygoing, finishing 11th at the Augustana Early Opener in his collegiate debut before chronic knee problems hampered his results down the stretch.

Women's Cross Country

Freshman Nkemdilim Okwumabua led the resurgence of the women's cross country team, jumpstarting the Saints with the team's top finish in all six of the squad's events. She was helped by the development of a young freshman class assembled by Graham, including Ashley Murray and Chhutani Berry.

Senior Nichole Salazar temporarily traded in the softball spikes for her running shoes, taking advantage of her last opportunity to run cross country. As one of just two seniors in both the men's and women's programs, she provided invaluable leadership. Datisha Duncan joined the team towards the latter part of the season to add depth and junior Olivia Canales returned from a brief hiatus to competition on the collegiate level.