Edwardson paces Simpson to sixth at IIAC Championship

DECORAH, Iowa - Ryan Edwardson ran to an eighth-place finish and Simpson took sixth as a team at the Iowa Conference Championship on Saturday.

Edwardson earned all-conference honors for the second year in a row, finishing the 8-kilometer course in 25:47.9. He placed fifth in 2010.

Loras won the championship with 53 points, followed closely by Luther (56). Wartburg was third (79), Central fourth (115) and Cornell fifth (135). Simpson scored 142 points in sixth, while Coe (7th, 170), Buena Vista (8th, 206) and Dubuque (9th, 295) rounded out the field.

Coe's Kyle Heineman won the individual title, crossing the finish line in 25:14.3.

"Our guys have their absolute best today and that's all you can ask for," first-year head coach Heath Moenck said. "Now we have to continue to improve. We are excited to get another opportunity at the regional meet."

Mitchell Davis was the Storm's second finisher, placing 26th (26:36.9). John Warnke placed 40th (27:15.2), Jake Sutton 46th (27:22.0) and Zach Thompson 54th (27:28.0). Matt Stone (59th, 27:40.2) and Tyler Steward (85th, 28:22.7) rounded out Simpson's top seven.

Simpson will compete in the NCAA Central Region Championship on Saturday, Nov. 12 in Waverly.