Posted: Sep 02, 2023

Simpson cross country teams collect season-opening victories

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson College men and women's cross country teams claimed victories in its home meet, the Bill Buxton Invitational, Friday evening, at Pickard Park.

MEN'S RECAP

Spencer Moon won his seventh career individual meet, finishing in a blistering career-best time of 17:34.5 at the 6K distance. It is also Moon's second career title at Simpson's home meet, after winning in 2021. The entirety of Simpson's top seven runners set career-bests at the distance as well, with Ean Warrick improving by over a minute to take second place at 19:13.1. The Storm had eight of the first 10 runners cross overall.

"It was a good start for our men tonight," said Heath Moenck, director of cross country and track and field. "Spencer has done a lot of great things in his career and tonight may have topped it all. He was simply incredible."

WOMEN'S RECAP

The Storm women had four runners in the top five, with Lara Kallem beating her previous best at the 4K distance, set at last year's meet, by over a minute. She ran a 15:17.8 to claim her second runner-up finish at Storm's home meet. All five returners in the Storm lineup ran career-bests at the distance, including Teghan Booth running sub-16 minutes (15:56.8) to take third overall.

"Our women also opened well tonight, with the results showing immediately after a terrific summer," continued Moenck. "Lara picked up where she left off from track season with a great opening race."

MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS

1. Simpson - 18 points
2. DMACC - 59 points
3. Southwestern CC - 84 points
4. Graceland - 91 points

MEN'S TOP FINISHERS

1. Spencer Moon - 17:34.5
2. Ean Warrick - 19:13.1
4. Andrew Klein - 19:20.6
6. Marc Medici - 19:27.4
7. Cole Leggett - 19:37.9
8. Louden Foster - 19:42.1
9. James Murray - 19:52.4