DES MOINES, Iowa – Facing constant rain and a waterlogged course at Des Moines' Water Works park, the Drake University cross country teams rallied to win both the men's and women's races at the Grand View Invite Friday evening.
The Bulldog men, led by freshman Josh Yeager (Center Point, Iowa) posted 39 points to take the men's race while the women's team also recorded 39 points behind Laura Gann's (Wheaton, Ill.) first-place finish on the 5-kilometer course.
“There were really good efforts today with the conditions we faced,” Drake head coach Dan Hostager said. “The course wasn't very fast but we competed well. For the guys, it was their first 8k so it was good to get one under the belt. You want to get ready for these conditions. Our conference meet could be under similar conditions so you want to use this experience to prepare for that possibility.”
Despite conditions, Gann led the women's field followed by teammate Katie Berger (Smithville, Mo.) in second place. No times were available for the women's race as the timing equipment succumbed to the inclement weather. Erica Bestul (Apple Valley, Minn.) finished in seventh overall to propel the Bulldogs to the team title.
“My goal going into the race was to win,” Gann said. “It was a different kind of effort with the water. Every step, my foot sunk in and it felt like running in wet sand. Today was more mental and I got more mental strength out of this and fighting through to the end. I think we made some gains with that toughness today.”
On the men's side, Yeager completed the course in 28:05 to finish fourth overall. George Webb (Morton Grove, Ill.) finished just behind him in fifth-place at 28:13. A pair of freshman in Cole Friedman (Overland Park, Kan.) and John Freeman also turned in top-10 finishes in ninth and 10th place.
“It wasn't ideal but everyone had to go through it,” Yeager said. “The water would be up to your calves, but it was fun and we just wanted to go and get places in the standings. It was an awesome effort from everyone. I thought we handled the weather really well.”
The Bulldogs return to action next weekend at the annual Roy Griak Invitational, hosted by the University of Minnesota.
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Grand View Invite
Sept. 18, 2015 – 5k
Des Moines, Iowa – Water Works Park
Women's Team Results
1. Drake, 39
2. Grand View, 54
3. Simpson, 98
4. William Penn, 106
5. Indian Hills CC, 117
6. DMACC, 135
7. Iowa Lakes CC, 174
8. Southwester CC, 196
Drake Individual Women's Results* (60 Runners)
1. Laura Gann
2. Katie Berger
7. Erica Bestul
15. Elana Breitenbucher
18. Shelby Varney
23. Theresa McAlister
*No women's times due to weather-induced malfunction of the timing device.
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Grand View Invite
Sept. 18, 2015 – 4.6 miles
Des Moines, Iowa – Water Works Park
Men's Team Results
1. Drake, 39
2. Indian Hills CC, 41
3. William Penn, 64
4. Simpson, 92
5. Grand View, 102
Drake Individual Men's Results (49 runners)
4. Josh Yeager, 28:05
5. George Webb, 28:13
9. Cole Friedman, 28:59
10. John Freeman, 29:11
15. Ryan Tunink, 29:52
24. Mick Norton, 30:48
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