Kansas University sophomore Kyra Kilwein claimed a victory in the women’s 5K run at the Bob Timons Classic on Saturday at Rim Rock Farm.

Kansas University teammates, from left, Natalie Becker, Tessa Turcotte, Kyra Kilwein and Lindsay Schaefer compete in the Bob Timmons Classic. Kilwein won the women’s 5K on Saturday at Rim Rock Farm.

KU cross country runner Zach Zarda crosses the finish line as the first place collegiate runner at the Bob Timmons Classic, Saturday, Sept 4, 2010.

Unattached runner and former KU cross country star Paul Hefferon, gives a thumbs up to the crowd as he finishes first at the Bob Timmons Classic, Saturday, Sept 4, 2010.

Kilwein, a graduate of Free State High, ran a career-best 18:37.20.

The Jayhawks had the top three finishers in the women’s 5K, with sophomore Tessa Turcotte and Natalie Becker placing second and third, respectively.

“We had a hometown girl (Kilwein) win the (women’s) race, which is always nice,” KU coach Stanley Redwine said. “It is definitely a team mentality. The idea was to race together in the beginning, and they did a really good job.”

Despite the absence of KU’s three top runners (senior Amanda Miller, junior Rebeka Stowe and sophomore Allie Marquis), the women claimed all but one top-10 finish against Neosho County Community College, Garden City Community College, Maryville University, Park University and Neosho Community College.

The men’s team captured seven of the top 10 finishes in the 6K run. The top KU finisher was junior Zach Zarda, who ran a career-best time of 19:01.30, good for second overall.

“As a team we did pretty well,” Zarda said. “We ran together well, especially through the first two miles. We wanted to run 10 minutes through two miles. I was 9:58, and the guys were pretty close behind.”

Unattached runner Paul Hefferon, a KU alumnus, won the event in 18:31.10.

The Jayhawks will take part in the Missouri Cross Country Challenge against the rival Tigers on Sept. 11 in Columbia, Mo.