Men's cross country takes fourth at Wartburg

WAVERLY, Iowa – Blake Willadsen was the top finisher for the Simpson men's cross country team as the Storm placed fourth of eight teams at the Dan Huston Invitational on Saturday.

Simpson scored 110 points as a team, racing in back-to-back weeks for the first time this season.

"Our men certainly didn't run to their capability today," head coach Heath Moenck said. "The effort was there, we just didn't get the results we hoped for. The guys will be ready for our next challenge in two weeks."

Willadsen ran to a 24th-place finish, completing the 8k course in 27:06.2. Ian McKenzie added a top-30 effort, taking 29th in 27:20.2.

Ethan Pellegrino (37th, 27:33.8) and Miles Kirts (39th, 27:35.7) added top-40 finishes for the Storm.

Simpson has one competition before the Iowa Conference Championship. The Storm go to Wis.-La Crosse in two weeks, on Oct. 17.

MEN'S TOP FINISHERS
24. Blake Willadsen, 27:06.2
29. Ian McKenzie, 27:20.2
37. Ethan Pellegrino, 27:33.8
39. Miles Kirts, 27:35.7
46. Trey Thompson, 27:51.3
60. Brady Eversmeyer, 28:28.5
69. Salem Hildebrandt, 28:56.1