Diemer paces women's cross country in final tune-up before IIACs

ETTRICK, Wis. – Rebecca Diemer continued to make strides and the Simpson women's cross country team placed 11th of 22 teams at the Jim Drews/Tori Neubauer Invitational on Saturday, the final tune up before the Iowa Conference Championship.

Diemer placed 19th out of 324 competitors, leading the Storm in a deep, talented field featuring some of Division III's top runners.

"The women continue to improve with each meet," head coach Heath Moenck said. "It was terrific to place 11th in the deepest field we've seen all year. It was a great confidence boost as we head to conference."

Diemer navigated the course at Ettrick Golf Club in 22:53.92, her fastest 6k effort of the season.

"Rebecca was outstanding today. She ran an absolutely terrific race," Moenck said.

Sadie Timms ran the fastest 6k of her career, placing 48th (23:23.33). Stacie Ahlers placed 93rd (24:08.35) and Breanna Gaster came in 100th (24:14.67). Briana McCloskey took 131st (24:41.22), Shelby Hunemiller placed 168th (25:12.64) and Jessica Gronke rounded out the varsity finishers in 169th (25:13.34).

TOP FINISHERS
19. Diemer, 22:53.92
48. Timms, 23:23.33
93. Ahlers, 24:08.35
100. Gaster, 24:14.67
131. McCloskey, 24:41.22
168. Hunemiller, 25:12.64
169. Gronke, 25:13.34

UP NEXT
Iowa Conference Championship, Saturday, Oct. 31 at Dubuque, Iowa (hosted by Loras)