Reigning NJCAA runner of the week Kevin Diederich powered his way to a top-five finish Friday, finishing fifth at the Midwest Intercollegiate hosted by Olivet Nazarene.
 
Diederich ran the 8,000-meter Aspen Ridge course in 26 minutes, 47.0 seconds for the best time by a junior college athlete in the event.
 
Freshman Miguel capulin joined Diederich among the top 20, finishing 16^th in 27:52.9.
 
COD finished sixth in the event, won by the Olivet Nazarene with 23.
 
The Chaps are off this week and resume competition Oct. 5 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the Seminole Valley race.
 
Midwest Intercollegiate
Olivet Nazarene | Aspen Ridge GC
8,000 meters
Team (top five): Olivet Nazarene 23, St. Ambrose 93, U of Chicago 104, Governors State 107, Hanover 132, St. Xavier 133, 6. Chaparrals 137.
Chaparrals runners
5 Kevin Diederich 26:47.0
16 Miguel Capulin 27:52.9
30 Roman Nevarez 28:22.8
46 Jack Schultz 29:02.9
64 Connor Vine 30:12.1
70 Addisu Wolski 30:45.7
71 Joshua Murray 30:46.2
84 John Buchanan 31:12.1
100 David Aviles 32:56.6
105 Thomas Payne 33:07.1
112 Alex Mendez 33:46.3
115 Zach Kahsen 34:11.4
119 Daniel Garay Sanchez 35:06.4
120 Benjamin Cuatzo 35:54.9
121 Shaymis Powell 36:18.7
123 Victor Cholico 38:25.0
127 Matthew Heinberg 39:40.4
130 Samuel Sanchez 42:51.1