Simpson wins individual, team titles at Lamb-Kohawk Invite

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Nick Yaeger won the individual title and the Simpson men's cross country team placed three runners in the top 10 on the way to winning the Lamb-Kohawk Invitational at Noelridge Park on Saturday.

The Storm repeated their title from last year with 40 points, edging Mount Mercy (51) and Cornell (64). Simpson's average time was 27:38 on the 8,000-meter course.

"It was a terrific morning for our men's team," head coach Heath Moenck said. "We are thrilled to get the win and it took a total team effort."

Yaeger completed the course in 26:40.7 to top the 61-person field. A pair of freshmen followed Yaeger, as Ethan Pellegrino placed fifth (27:22.6) and Blake Willadsen seventh (27:47.0).

Sophomores Miles Kirts (28:06.3) and Andrew Mayes (28:13.0) come in 13th and 14th, respectively. Bryce Phillips placed 19th (28:40.8) and Nick Nolte 21st (28:50.3) to round out Simpson's top seven.

Notes: A young squad, five of Simpson's top seven finishers were freshmen or sophomores … Simpson was once again without top runner Joe Farrand, who is recovering from injury.