Mustang cross country hosts season opener

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Mount Mercy women's cross country ream won the team title and the Mustang men finished fourth at the season-opening Corrido XC Clash on Friday night at Seminole Valley Park.

Emma Althoff, making her collegiate debut, placed third in the women's 5K race with a time of 20:17.1. That was just ahead of teammate Ruth Jennings, who was next in 20:18.1. Three more Mustang were in the top 10. J'Lyn Knutson finished fifth in 20:39.9, Kayla Overton eighth in 21:01.9, and Jessa Day 10th in 21:10.4. Abby Knepper (11th/21:12.8) and Abby Rinderknecht (13th/21:28.6) rounded out Mount Mercy's top seven.

Southeastern's Aisha Ramone earned the women's title in 19:48.0 with Alyza Koppes of Cornell finishing runner-up in 19:58.8. Mount Mercy ran away with the team championship with 30 points. Dubuque was second (62), followed by Southeastern (74), Cornell (134), William Penn (137), Upper Iowa (161), Culver-Stockton (186), Emmaus Bible (198), and Quincy (214).

Ryan Clancy ran a smooth 5K to lead the Mustang men's team, as he came in runner-up with a time of 15:30.5 in the 5K. Ryan Mitchell joined him in the top 10, placing ninth in 15:56.6. Mount Mercy's top seven also included Lukas Lamparek (22nd/16:36.6), Brady Cortez (24th/16:39.8), Quinn Swift (34th/17:05.0), Noah Cokel (38th/17:21.6), and Ty Costigan (45th/17:35.0).

Cornell's Isaac Vanwestrienen cruised to the men's individual crown, crossing the finish line in 15:11.5). The Rams had four runners in the top 10 and grabbed the team title as well with 36 points. William Penn was second (50), Dubuque third (59), Mount Mercy fourth (86), Monmouth fifth (158), Southeastern sixth (160), Culver-Stockton seventh (196), and Quincy eighth (207).

In two weeks, the Mustangs will be back on the course, this time in Columbia, Mo. Mount Mercy competes in the Larry Young Invitational on Sept. 15 at 5:45 pm at Gans Creek Cross Country Course.