PEORIA, Illinois—The University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country teams both finished in the top four at the Bradley “Pink” Classic on Friday The women brought home a second-place finish with a score of 136 points. The men finished fourth with a score of 151 points.
Freshman Brooke McKee led the way for the women with a 15th-place finish and a new career best of 21:26.7. Junior Gabby Skopec and freshman Lauren McMahon were next in for the Hawkeyes, both recording career bests of 21:35.2 and 21:36.1 to finish 23rd and 26th, respectively. Skopec moved up a grand total of 50 places from the first 2,000-meters to the finish. Charging hard, Skopec picked up 29 positions over the final half of the race. Senior Jessica McKee was fourth in for the Hawkeyes (35th), recording a career best of 21:35.0. Senior Emma Gordon rounded out scoring for the Hawkeyes, finishing 37th in a time of 21:49.5. Freshman Miriam Sandeen and sophomore Kelli Tosic finished 40th and 49th as the sixth and seventh runners. Sandeen recorded a new career best in her effort.
Sophomore Nick Trattner was once again the leader for the men, finishing eighth in a time of 24:14.8. Trattner has led the Hawkeyes in every race but one this season. Senior Noah Healy finished inside the top 20, placing 19th (24:33.7). Kal Lewis was third in for the Hawkeyes (29th), recording a career best of 24:49.5. Freshmen Jack Pendergast (32nd) and Ian Geisler (62nd) rounded out the scoring for the Hawkeye men — both recording career bests of 24:51.3 and 25:11.5, respectively. Senior Konnor Sommer finished 78th, also logging a new career-best time of 25:17.3.
In the women’s “white” race the Hawkeyes finished second, fourth and sixth. Senior Wren Renquist led the way, setting a new career best by over 20 seconds (22:45.8). Sophomore Ellie Twedt (22:51.7) and Maddie Block (22:58.7) were next in, both recording new career bests.
Freshman Jack Gschwendtner (29th) led the way for the men in the “white” race finishing inside the top 30. Gschwendtner posted a new career-best time of 26:21.6. Sophomore Daniel Klysh (46th) also set a new career-best (26:42.6).
Up next, the Hawkeyes head to University Park, Pennsylvania, to compete at the Big Ten Championships on Friday, Oct. 29. Racing is scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m. (CT).
QUOTING RANDY HASENBANK
“Our women ended up with a good result despite a rough start tactically. Several of the women were back in 60-70th place at the 1K mark and managed to work themselves up into the top-30 by the end. Brooke [McKee] and Lauren [McMahon] ran with a lot of energy today and really helped carry us through the first half of the race. The rest of the squad (Gabby Skopec, Jessica McKee, Emma Gordon and Miriam Sandeen) rallied by the end to get us a good result. We needed some adversity, so with the slow start and one of our top runners a little bit off today, we showed our depth again. We’re a tough group with a lot of interchangeable parts.
“The men took a lot more risk today, which we needed to do. For most part, we competed really well. Nick [Trattner] and Noah [Healy] led us again and that is important. We need the consistency up front from these guys. Kal Lewis made some improvements out on the course today and closed the gap between our two and three runners. I think the last time out we had a 40-second gap from two to three, today it was 15. I felt like Jack Pendergast, Ian Giesler and Konnor Sommer are rounding into to form. Overall, it was a good race for the whole squad.”
HAWKEYE RESULTS
“Red” Races
4. IOWA MEN / 149 points
8. Nick Trattner / 24:14.8
19. Noah Healy 24:33.7
29. Kal Lewis / 24:49.5 (PR)
32. Jack Pendergast / 24:51.3 (PR)
62. Ian Geisler / 25:11.5 (PR)
78. Konnor Sommer / 25:17.3 (PR)
93. Jeff Roberts / 25:23.8
103. Aidan King / 25:26.5
126. Isaac Hartman / 25:34.6
2. IOWA WOMEN / 136 points
15. Brooke McKee / 21:26.7 (PR)
23. Gabby Skopec / 21:35.2 (PR)
26. Lauren McMahon / 21:36.1 (PR)
35. Jessica McKee / 21:35.0 (PR)
37. Emma Gordon / 21:49.5
40. Miriam Sandeen / 21:54.4 (PR)
49. Kelli Tosic / 21:59.9
134. Mallory King / 22:50.4 (PR)
134. Alli Bookin-Nosbisch / 22:55.0
“White” Races
29. Jack Gschwendtner / 26:21.6 (PR)
46. Daniel Klysh / 26:42.6 (PR)
85. Yohana Yual / 27:24.3
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2. Wren Renquist / 22:45.8 (PR)
4. Ellie Twedt / 22:51.7 (PR)
6. Madeline Block / 22:58.7 (PR)