CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Grace’s Ben Rankin enjoyed his best time of the season in the biggest race of the year.

Rankin ran 26:42.7 to officially wrap up Grace’s cross country season. He placed 232nd out of 330 runners in the championship race.

This marked Rankin’s second appearance at NAIA Nationals after competing in 2016.

To qualify for NAIAs, Rankin placed eighth two weeks ago at the Crossroads League Championship. He followed that up with a 12th-place showing at NCCAA Nationals last weekend.

“Ben ran his three best races of the season in the three biggest meets, so he certainly ended with some strong performances,” said Grace head coach Jeff Raymond. “With many runners returning, we are already excited about next season and what this group can accomplish.”