Women's cross country has breakthrough effort at Brissman/Lundeen

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Led by a pair of newcomers and a runner competing for the first time in eight months, the Simpson women's cross country team ran to an 11th-place finish of 50 teams at the Brissman/Lundeen Invitational at Sauke Golf Course on Friday.

Competing in a huge field consisting of teams from all divisions, the Storm scored 339 points, just one behind Wisconsin-Whitewater.

"I couldn't be more proud of the women," head coach Heath Moenck said. "The improvement they have made over the last few years has been so fun to watch. It was a huge breakthrough for the program."

Junior transfer Rebecca Diemer led the pack for the second time in as many meets, placing 27th in the field of more than 300 runners by navigating the course in 23:20.1. Running for the first time since last year's indoor track season, Sadie Timms came in 37th by finishing in 23:31.7. Another transfer, Stacie Ahlers ran a 24:04.0 to take 70th.

Briana McCloskey finished in the top 100, and Courtney Neuendorf, Breana Gaster and Jessica Gronke rounded out the Storm's top seven runners.

TOP FINISHERS
27. Rebecca Diemer, 23:20.1
37. Sadie Timms, 23:31.7
70. Stacie Ahlers, 24:04.0
96. Briana McCloskey, 24:26.2
132. Courtney Neuendorf, 24:48.1
133. Breana Gaster, 24:48.9
169. Jessica Gronke, 24:12.7

UP NEXT
Simpson goes to the Dan Huston Invitational next Saturday, Oct. 3 in Waverly, Iowa.