KANSAS — Ethan Smith of Evangel University and Kirstin Hackney of No. 18 Kansas Wesleyan University were named the KCAC Cross Country Men's and Women's Runners of the Week, respectively, the conference office announced Monday. The two student-athletes were selected for their performances from Sept. 7-13 by a vote of conference sports information directors. All KCAC Player of the Week honors are presented by
Athletic Solutions.
Ethan Smith - Evangel University
Jr. | Urbandale, Iowa
Smith opened Evangel’s XC season with a bang, finishing 16th overall in a stacked field with competition from the NCAA Div. II and NAIA level, running a 18:59 6K, beating out all but two NAIA competitors on Friday. Smith's finish helped lead Evangel to an overall 6th place team finish.
Kirstin Hackney - #18 Kansas Wesleyan University
Sr. | Coldwater, Kan.
Hackney's time of 18:22 in the 5K at the Queen City After Dark meet in Springfield, Mo. set a Kansas Wesleyan school record for the Women's 5K. She was the top KCAC finisher on the women's side of the meet, and helped Kansas Wesleyan to a sixth-place team finish.
2026 KCAC CROSS COUNTRY SEASON PREVIOUS WEEKLY HONOREES:
- Week 1 (Sept. 8): Brian Fackert, McPherson (Men) | Lexi Patterson, Friends (Women)
ABOUT ATHLETIC SOLUTIONS
Based in Kansas City, Kansas, Athletic Solutions is a national leader in NIL fan engagement and e-commerce technology, collaborating with colleges and universities to bring NIL Locker Rooms to life. Their platform simplifies NIL opportunities, providing student-athletes with the tools and exposure needed to thrive in the evolving landscape of college athletics.
Athletic Solutions Social Media: Facebook | Twitter/X | Instagram | LinkedIn
ABOUT THE KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 29 varsity sports. Founded in 1890, the KCAC is the second oldest intercollegiate athletic conference in the country. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.
—KCAC—