The Drake University cross country programs opened the 2022 season during the weekend of Sept. 2-3. Both the men's and women's programs competed at the Oz Memorial hosted by Minnesota on Friday night, Sept. 2.
Aidan Ramsey made his collegiate debut at the John Kurtt Invite hosted by Wartburg on Saturday, Sept. 3.
Brendan Cain led the way for the Drake men on Friday evening with a 6K time of 20:20.20. Cain finished in 18
th place and was followed by
Pur Biel (20:24.80) in 21
st place.
Jack Burns clocked a time of 20:42.90. Freshmen
Seth Simonson (22:10.90) and
Aidan Simon (22:37.50) made their collegiate debuts.
"I was pleased to see
Brendan Cain step up and lead us home as he starts his sophomore campaign," head coach
Jay Koloseus said.
In the women's 5K during the Oz Memorial,
Tyla Lumley (19:34.00) and
Emilie Meyer (19:34.60) finished neck-and-neck. Lumley and Meyer took home sixth and seventh place finishes respectively.
Barbara Vrhovac logged a time of 20:15.20 with
Anna Knueve (20:19.40) not far behind.
Madysen Klebenow rounded out the Drake runners with a time of 22:10.20.
"It was a really great first race for the women," Koloseus said. "Our sophomore ran very mature and stepped up in a big way to cover a hard course. They competed well against strong athletes."
"I was proud of all the efforts today but need to give special recognition to
Aidan Ramsey," Koloseus said. "As an unattached runner, Aidan went the distance with Wartburg senior and NCAA steeplechase champion Christopher Collet."
Reigning Iowa High School Athletic Association cross country champion
Aidan Ramsey competed unattached and finished runner-up at the John Kurtt Invite in Waverly, Iowa. Ramsey turned in a 6K performance of 18:36.54.
The next meet on the schedule for Drake cross country is the Greeno/Dirksen Invitational on Saturday (Sept. 17) hosted by Nebraska.