Kansas Wesleyan's Kaeori Giron (FR/El Paso, Texas) departed North Newton on Nov. 3 thinking his season was over after competing in the Kansas Conference Cross Country Championships.

Giron, a freshman from El Paso, Texas, finished 15th with a personal record time of 26 minutes, 59.9 seconds an average time of 5:25.9 per mile. Not bad for an 18-year-old competing in his first collegiate postseason race and a guy who briefly decided to quit running a few months ago.

Two days later, though, Giron learned his season was not over and that he has one more race to run the NAIA National Championships at Seminole Valley Cross Country Course on Friday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Giron got the national invitation after a runner who finished in front of him was disqualified. He'll compete with approximately 300 runners over the 8-kilometer course, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Giron discussed the upcoming race, the biggest of his life, and his season so far.