Cross country teams win Buena Vista Invitational

STORM LAKE, Iowa – The Simpson cross country teams swept the competition at the Buena Vista Invitational on Friday, winning the women's and men's races.

The women's team registered a perfect score, taking the top five spots and 10 of the top 11. Simpson beat Iowa Lakes in what was essentially a dual meet, as Buena Vista didn't register a team score.

"Our women took another positive step forward tonight," head coach Heath Moenck said. "We wanted to race with a big pack, and we executed the race plan well."

Simpson's average time came in at 25:29.41, over 20 seconds quicker than last year's 25:50.89 at the same meet.

Freshman Brianna McCloskey led the pack, navigating the six-kilometer course in 25:19.21. Another freshman, Jessica Lamb, came in second in 25:30.09.

Senior Lindsey Borgomainerio took third (25:30.96), followed by RaeLea Jones in fourth (25:31.85) and Jessie Eyerly in fifth (25:34.94).

The men's side didn't provide a perfect finish, but a winning one nonetheless. Sophomore Nick Yaeger won the meet, cruising through the eight-kilometer course in 28:00.86 for his first collegiate win.

"Nick had a great run tonight," Moenck said. "It was nice to see, and it's nice to see our group continue to show improvement."

Freshman Ethan Pellegrino – Simpson's top finisher in the first meet of the season – came in third, finishing in 28:09.63. Blake Willadsen came in fifth (28:21.30) and Miles Kirts sixth (28:31.72). Andrew Mayes rounded out Simpson's top five, taking ninth overall (28:43.98).

The Storm's next contest is set for Oct. 12 when the team goes to Cedar Rapids for the Lamb-Kohawk Invitational.