Men’s cross country sharp in conference tune-up

ETTRICK, Wis. -- Trey Thompson earned his fourth, top-20 finish of the season as the Simpson men's cross country team placed seventh in a loaded field at the Jim Drews/Tori Neubauer Invitational hosted by Wis.-La Crosse on Saturday.

The Storm finished with 218 points, well ahead of Illinois Wesleyan (291) and behind American Rivers conference foe, Nebraska Wesleyan (181). The No. 8 team in the Central Region, Simpson topped No. 9 Gustavus Adolphus and beat conference rivals Luther (10th) and Dubuque (11th).

Simpson's top finisher in each meet this season, Thompson placed 20th in the field of 294 runners after navigating the 8k course in 25:48.0 His running mate, Jonathan Facio, came in 35th in 26:20.9.

Cale Billheimer claimed the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the second meet in a row, running 27:06.5 to place 64th. Tyler Combs wasn't far behind in 68th (27:07.7) and Logan Egeland took 70th (27:13.3).

Ryan Courtney (81st, 27:24.0) and Drew Roen (112th, 27:49.8) rounded out the Storm's varsity finishers.

STORM VARSITY FINISHERS

Trey Thompson — 20th, 25:48.0
Jonathan Facio — 35th, 26:20.9
Cale Billheimer — 64th, 27:06.5
Tyler Combs — 68th, 27:07.7
Logan Egeland — 70th, 27:13.3
Ryan Courtney — 81st, 27:24.0
Drew Roen — 112th, 27:49.8

UP NEXT

Simpson will compete in the American Rivers Conference Championship on Saturday, Oct. 27 in Lincoln, Neb.