Women's cross country tightens pack at Chile Pepper Festival
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Simpson women's cross country team competed in one of the nation's largest meets on Saturday, placing 15th of 25 teams in the college division at the 2014 Chile Pepper Festival.
A late addition to the schedule, Simpson took six competitors to Arkansas to take part in a meet featuring collegiate teams from around the country.
"Today's meet was a huge success and a very rewarding experience," head coach Heath Moenck said. "Competing against a very talented field will prepare us for the championship phase of our season."
Simpson scored 426 points as a team, behind New Mexico Highlands (413) and ahead of Baker (427). Missouri Southern won the college division with 60 points, followed by Oklahoma City (125) and Harding (127).
"Our women stepped up to the challenge today and ran their best team race of the season," Moenck said. "Briana and Breanna ran excellent today."
Freshman Sadie Timms continues to make strides, completing the 5k course in 18:43.9 to place 137th in the 375-person field. Sophomore Briana McCloskey placed 205th (19:25.1) and junior Breanna Gaster came in 249th (19:45.7) to round out Simpson's top three finishers.
Freshman Courtney Neuendorf (261st, 19:51.6), sophomore Jessica Gronke (324th, 21:00.4) and senior Lauren Doocy (334th, 21:31.9) completed Simpson's lineup.
Up Next
Simpson goes to the Dr. Tucker Invitational in Dubuque, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 17. The meet marks the final competition before the Iowa Conference Championships on Nov. 1 in Indianola.
