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Drake University Athletics

Women?s Cross Country Wins Viking Invitational; Men Finish Third

Women's Cross Country Drake Athletics

Women?s Cross Country Wins Viking Invitational; Men Finish Third

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's cross country team had the top six finishers in the Viking Invitational to win the 5-kilometer race at Des Moines' Ewing Park for the second straight season.

The men's team finished third overall, but was the second collegiate team behind nationally ranked NAIA program Morningside on the 8-kilometer men's course.

“Our women really competed very well,” head coach Dan Hostager said. “We didn't taper at all this week so it was good experience and a good meet to build confidence and get feedback. Our training has been going well, so it's good to get that positive feedback.”

The women's team's perfect score was paced by race-winner Emma Huston (Des Moines, Iowa) in 19:06 on the 5-kilometer course. She was followed closely by redshirt sophomore Krista Maguire (Wausau, Wis.) in 19:25 and senior Erin Poss (Antioch, Ill.) in 19:43. Amanda Marwitz (Crystal Lake, Ill.) was the fourth runner across the line with freshman Angela Ufheil (Lake Zurich, Ill.) trailing closely in 19:55.

The Bulldogs also had two other runners, Sammy Nielsen (Maplewood, Minn.), and Celeste Arteaga (Rock Island, Ill.) finish in the top 10 in sixth and 10th place, respectively.

The men's squad's third-place finish saw a smaller roster with many of the team's top runners being rested finish behind a strong Morningside team and Run DSM, a collection of post-collegiate and unattached runners.

“For the men, we saw a lot of great efforts,” Hostager said. “There's definitely room for improvement but the guys did well and quite a few ended up with PRs as well.”

Senior Ian Harkreader (Arvada, Colo.) was Drake's top finisher on the men's 8-kilometer course in 26:36. He was followed by redshirt freshman Ali Jandal (La Crosse, Wis.) as Drake's second runner across the finish line in 10th place at 26:54.

Freshman Ryan Ross (Algonquin, Ill.) was 16th in 27:18 with classmate Calvin Quarterman (McHenry, Ill.) just behind him in 27:31 to finish 22nd. Sophomore James Saxton (La Crosse, Wis.) was the team's final scorer in 26th place with a time of 27:50.

For many of the men's team's younger runners, it was their first race at the 8-kilometer distance and provided them an opportune chance to gain experience at the longer distance.

“It's a good low-pressure meet to run that first 8k for our freshmen,” Hostager said. “Especially the guys who are middle distance guys on the track. That adjustment takes a while, but I was proud of the way they handled it.”

Both teams return to action next weekend at the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 28. The annual meet is hosted by the University of Minnesota on the Les Bolstad Course.

Viking Invitational
Ewing Park – 5 Kilometers
Women's Team Results

1. Drake, 15 
2. Mount Mercy, 68  
3. Morningside, 88  
4. Grand View, 122  
5. Ottawa, 154  
6. NIACC, 173    
7. DMACC, 216  
8. William Penn, 228  
9. Scott CC, 229  
10. Southwestern CC, 274

Drake Women's Individual Results - 101 Runners
1. Emma Huston, 19:06
2. Krista Maguire, 19:25
3. Erin Poss, 19:43
4. Amanda Marwitz, 19:44
5. Angela Ufheil, 19:55
6. Sammy Nielsen, 20:08
10. Celeste Arteaga, 20:20
11. Allison Heifner, 20:26
13. Mariah Kauder, 20:33
15. Shana Kelly, 20:37
18. Kaley McLawhorn, 20:48
22. Laura Gann, 21:03
23. Stephanie Parks, 21:06
24. Katie Filosa, 21:06
31. Celia Venezia, 21:20
46. Shelby Varney, 22:01

Viking Invitational
Ewing Park – 8 Kilometers
Men's Team Results

1. Morningside, 47
2. Run DSM, 60
3. Drake, 67
4. Mount Mercy, 122  
5. SCRC, 156  
6. SCRS, 197  
7. Ottawa, 206  
8. Grand View, 209  
9. NIACC, 216  
10. Southwestern  CC, 219  
11. William Penn, 263
12. Scott CC, 328  
13. Faith Baptist, 353

Drake Men's Individual Results - 123 Runners
6. Ian Harkreader, 26:36
10. Ali Jandal, 26:54
16. Ryan Ross, 27:18
22. Calvin Quarterman, 27:31
26. James Saxton, 27:50
41. George Webb, 28:47
52. Bobby Svoboda, 29:15

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Players Mentioned

Celeste Arteaga

Celeste Arteaga

Distance
Sophomore
Katie Filosa

Katie Filosa

Distance
Freshman
Laura Gann

Laura Gann

Distance
Sophomore
Emma Huston

Emma Huston

Distance
Sophomore
Mariah Kauder

Mariah Kauder

Distance
Freshman
Shana Kelly

Shana Kelly

Distance
Freshman
Krista Maguire

Krista Maguire

Distance
Redshirt Sophomore
Amanda Marwitz

Amanda Marwitz

Distance
Senior
Kaley McLawhorn

Kaley McLawhorn

Distance
Freshman
Stephanie Parks

Stephanie Parks

Distance
Junior
Erin Poss

Erin Poss

Distance
Senior
Angela Ufheil

Angela Ufheil

Distance
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Celeste Arteaga

Celeste Arteaga

Sophomore
Distance
Katie Filosa

Katie Filosa

Freshman
Distance
Laura Gann

Laura Gann

Sophomore
Distance
Emma Huston

Emma Huston

Sophomore
Distance
Mariah Kauder

Mariah Kauder

Freshman
Distance
Shana Kelly

Shana Kelly

Freshman
Distance
Krista Maguire

Krista Maguire

Redshirt Sophomore
Distance
Amanda Marwitz

Amanda Marwitz

Senior
Distance
Kaley McLawhorn

Kaley McLawhorn

Freshman
Distance
Stephanie Parks

Stephanie Parks

Junior
Distance
Erin Poss

Erin Poss

Senior
Distance
Angela Ufheil

Angela Ufheil

Freshman
Distance