Storm cross country teams place second overall in Grinnell

GRINNELL, Iowa - Highlighted by Spencer Moon winning back-to-back races, both the Simpson College men and women's cross country teams took second place overall at the Les Duke Invitational, hosted by Grinnell.

MEN'S RECAP

Moon won his eighth career cross country title at Simpson, leading virtually the whole race. Moon finished in a time of 25:20.44, almost 30 seconds past second place. James Murray, who missed the last cross country season due to injury, claimed a top 10 finish with a new career-best of 26:33.23. The Storm took second overall as a team, with its five scoring runners of Moon, Murray, Ean Warrick, Andrew Klein, and Marc Medici all finishing in the top 25 overall.

"Our men ran hard today and had some good results," said Heath Moenck, director of track and field and cross country. "James Murray was a nice surprise, as he ran a terrific race to claim a top 10 finish."

WOMEN'S RECAP

Lara Kallem recorded her second straight top five finish and career-best time, as the Storm women also recorded a second-place finish as a team. Kallem led the Storm with a fourth place individual finish and a 6K time of 22:51.41. Teghan Booth (seventh) and Emily Erhardt (10th) finished in the top 10, improving on their times in last year's race by almost a full minute. Ashley Rockhold added a top 20 finish as the entirety of the Storm top seven finished inside the top 30 in points.

"Our top four women were especially good today," said Moenck. "I thought Lara Kallem had the best race of her career and helped lead the team to a strong day."

UP NEXT

Both teams have some time off competing before racing at the Dan Huston Invite in Waverly at the end of the month. 

MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1. Central - 29 points
2. Simpson - 60 points
3. Grinnell - 82 points
4. Wartburg - 91 points
5. Cornell College - 102 points
6. Illinois College - 197
7. Principia - 222 points
8. Monmouth (Ill.) - 228 points
9. Knox College - 266 points

WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1. Central - 26 points
2. Simpson - 60 points
3. Grinnell - 70 points
4. Wartburg - 87 points
5. Cornell College - 149 points
6. Knox College - 189 points
7. Faith Baptist Bible - 194 points

MEN'S TOP FINISHERS
1. Spencer Moon - 25:20.44
9. James Murray - 26:33.23
11. Ean Warrick - 26:40.63
15. Andrew Klein - 26:56.11
24. Marc Medici - 27:28.73
27. Drew Engler - 27:35.58
28. Cole Leggett - 27:40.33

WOMEN'S TOP FINISHERS
4. Lara Kallem - 22:51.41
7. Teghan Booth - 23:54.64
10. Emily Erhardt - 24:26.14
17. Ashley Rockhold - 24:49.55
37. Mya Whitaker - 26:21.97
42. Kaya Young - 26:36.59
46. Kate Huisinga - 26:54.71