McCloskey, Timms pace women's cross country in Dubuque

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Briana McCloskey and Sadie Timms paced the Simpson women's cross country team to a second place finish at the Loras Invitational on Friday afternoon in the team's best performance of the season.

The Storm scored 49 points, just 10 behind Loras, which is ranked eighth in the latest USTFCCCA Central Region rankings.

Simpson beat Dubuque (68), Monmouth (71) and Coe (130) in the team standings.

"Our women's team rocked today," head coach Heath Moenck said. "To finish that close to a very quality Loras team is a credit to our women's hard work this season."

McCloskey placed fourth overall, leading the Storm for the first time this season by navigating the 6-kilometer course in 24:05.8.

"Bri made a huge breakthrogh today," Moneck said. "She ran terrific."

Timms wasn't far behind McCloskey, finishing fifth in the 77 individual field. The freshman, who was Simpson's top finisher in the previous four meets, clocked in at 24:14.6.

Breanna Gaster finished just outside of the top 10, coming in 11th (24:54.4). Jessica Gronke placed 14th (25:09.6) and Courtney Neuendorf crossed the line in 15th (25:12.0) to round out Simpson's varsity placewinners.

Lesley Roquet (36th, 26:47.5) and Morgan Moline (37th, 26:49.3) rounded out the varsity finishers.

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Friday's meet was the team's final tune-up before the Iowa Conference Championships, which Simpson hosts on Nov. 1. The men's race begins at 11 a.m. followed by the women at Pickard Park.