IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa cross country teams opened their season with a sweep of the competition at the 2022 Hawkeye Invite at the Ashton Cross Country Course.
In the women’s 4,000-meter race, Iowa used nine PRs and had the top five finishers to claim the victory. Senior Emma Gordon led the way with a PR of 14:12.9. Junior Kelli Tosic finished second with a time of 14:38.3, while senior Maddie Block came in with a PR of 14:40.3. Junior Amber Aesoph (14:50.3) and freshman Jalyssa Blazek (14:51.0) rounded out the perfect top five finishers for the Hawkeyes.
Lillian Schmidt (14:54.3), Abby Ryon (15:05.8), Ellie Twedt (15:11.6), Grace Bookin-Nosbisch (15:18.8), Katie Moore (15:25.8), Chloe Skidmore (15:28.3), and Kaitlin Knape (15:59.0) all set PRs for the Hawkeyes.
On the men’s side, the Hawkeyes claimed the title with 21 points in the 6,000-meter race. Iowa had three finishers inside the top five and six within the top 10. Freshman Miles Sheppard made his debut and led the Iowa finishers with a time of 18:46.4, good for third overall. Junior Aidan King was right behind in fourth with a PR of 18:47.6. Freshman Will Ryan rounded out the top five with a time of 18:53.4. Freshman Hayden Kuhn and Sophomore Ian Geisler wrapped up Iowa’s top five with times of 18:55.0 and 18:57.8, respectively. Sophomore Eli Ward set a PR with a time of 20:56.9.
QUOTING COACH HASENBANK
“Overall, I feel that we have a fit bunch. I was impressed with Emma, Kelli, and Maddie. Emma was very impressive, that was one of the better performances of her career. Jalyssa Blazek was fantastic, too. She’s such an excellent athlete. Lillian Schmidt has had a big improvement over the summer. I think we will put together a good squad by the end. On the men’s side, Miles is just a fierce competitor, and so I think he surprised a few people here today. When the lights come on, he’s a gamer. Aidan King is very, very talented. You could see it was coming. We still have a ways to go. The big plus on the day was the three freshman up there in the top five. They just need some opportunities and grow. It’s nice to see that we have some depth.”
Up next for the Hawkeyes is the Michigan Open in Ann Arbor, Mich. on September 9.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 4,000-meters
1. Emma Gordon – 14:12.9
2. Kelli Tosic – 14:38.2
3. Maddie Block – 14:40.3
4. Amber Aesoph – 14:50.3
5. Jalyssa Blazek – 14:51.0
6. Micah Poellet – 14:53.8
7. Lillian Schmidt – 14:54.3
8. Alli Bookin-Nosbisch – 15:00.4
9. Brooke McKee – 15:05.0
10. Abby Ryon – 15:05.8
11. Clare Pitcher – 15:06.4
12. Ellie Twedt – 15:11.6
13. Grace Bookin Nosbisch – 15:18.8
14. Rowan Boulter – 15:19.9
15. Katie Moore – 15:25.8
16. Chloe Skidmore – 15:28.3
18. Claire Edmondson – 15:34.2
20. Anna Barroso – 15:38.8
22. Maggie Gutwein – 15:43.3
31. Aleah Tenpas – 15:58.1
32. Kaitlin Knape – 15:59.0
39. Bryce Gidel – 16:55.2
40. Laney Fitzpatrick – 17:01.0
41. Samantha Strauss – 17:09.9
Men’s 6,000-meters
3. Miles Sheppard – 18:46.4
4. Aidan King – 18:47.6
5. Will Ryan – 18:53.4
6. Hayden Kuhn – 18:55.0
8. Ian Geisler – 18:57.8
10. Yohana Yual – 19:02.8
11. Jack Pendergast – 19:05.2
13. Elijah Naumann – 19:09.8
14. Carson Houg – 19:11.2
16. Konnor Sommer – 19:12.3
19. Nathan Harbert – 19:31.2
22. Brayden Burnett – 19:49.7
25. Kal Lewis – 20:07.7
30. Eli Ward – 20:56.9