COLUMBIA, Mis. - The Simpson University cross country team finished its season at the NAIA National Championship race in Columbia, Missouri. 

Even with the California crew traveling to the midwest in the early stages of winter, it proved to be no obstacle for the Red Hawks. 

This is the second consecutive year that the Red Hawks have sent someone to race on the national stage. 

However, this is the first time in program history that an individual has represented the men's team. 

Senior Joy Taylor represented the girls' squad and earned a spot at nationals after competing for four seasons with the Red Hawks. 

With hard work combined with trusting the process, Taylor put together a spectacular final season as she just missed a personal best time. 

Taylor stands to represent one of the program's core goals, progress over time. 

Cade Salsedo punched his ticket at the Cal Pac race as a true freshman. 

He embodied the fighting spirit of the Red Hawks freshmen men's squad. 

After being a late qualifier to nationals and having no training in between, Salsedo ran as well as any coach would have hoped. 

The performance proved to be an example of mental strength and the true heart and desire to be the best. 

Coach Hall likes what he saw in year two of his cross-country program as they continue to rise. 

"With lots of hard work, humility, and our eyes fixed on Christ, we know we are headed somewhere great! Simpson University's cross-country program looks to be in a new era of positive growth with no signs of stopping any time soon. Thank you to all of our supporters this year, new and returning."