Ellingson, Edwardson prepare for cross country nationals

INDIANOLA - For the first time in 20 years, a Simpson men's and a women's cross country runner will compete at the highest level on the same day.

On Saturday, Catie Ellingson and Ryan Edwardson will compete in the 2010 NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships at Wartburg's Max Cross Country Course in Waverly. The duo becomes the first male and female pair from Simpson to qualify in the same year since 1989, when Dave Halferty and Sarah Cross each made the cut.

Ellingson - a senior from Indianola - automatically qualified for nationals for the second year in a row after finishing second at the Central Region Championships on Saturday, Nov. 13. She crossed the finish line only one second behind medalist Lori Tlach of Wartburg, running a 22:06.

Edwardson - a junior from Spencer - earned an at-large bid to the meet after finishing tenth at the Central Region Championships. Edwardson ran a 25:51.9, earning all-region honors.

The men's race begins at 11 a.m. with the women to follow. To view the championship website, click here.