Storm enjoy breakthrough performance at Loras

DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Simpson men's cross country team ran to a third-place finish -- behind a pair of ranked foes -- and had three runners finish in the top 10 at the Loras Invitational on Friday.

Led by Blake Willadsen, Trey Thompson and Ethan Pellegrino, the Storm scored 59 points, just two points behind the No. 9-ranked team in the NJCAA, Northern Iowa Area CC. Host Loras -- ranked No. 9 in Division III -- won the meet with 22 points.

"Tonight was a big breakthrough for both of our squads," head coach Heath Moenck said. "Both ran by far their best races of the season. Our men finished third behind two nationally-ranked programs and couldn't have run much better."

Willadsen ran 26:48.3 to place fifth in the field of 96 runners. He led the Storm for the second straight meet as Simpson concluded its final tune-up before the Iowa Conference Championship in two weeks.

Trey Thompson and Ethan Pellegrino added top-10 finishes for the Storm. Thompson ran 26:56.6 to place seventh and Pellegrino ran 27:05.0 to place ninth.

Live Lefebure, Luke Evans, Jonathan Facio and Chad Carter rounded out Simpson's varsity finishers. 

UP NEXT
Simpson goes to the Iowa Conference Championship on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Storm Lake.

STORM FINISHERS
5. Blake Willadsen—26:48.3
7. Trey Thompson—26:56.6
9. Ethan Pellegrino—27:05.0
21. Levi Lefebure—28:02.4
23. Luke Evans—28:07.9
31. Jonathan Facio—28:39.1
34. Chad Carter—28:48.1
43. Logan Egeland—29:09.2
49. Kyle Hovey—29:25.2
60. Thomas Kolbo—29:58.5
67. Drew Roen—30:14.3
79. Josh Paulson—31:22.1