NORMAL, Ill. – The University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the Redbird Invite on Friday night. Butler, Eastern Illinois, Heartland CC, Illinois State, Illinois-Springfield, SIU-Edwardsville, UNI, and Wartburg were also in attendance.
In the women’s 6,000-meter race, freshman Ana Barroso made her 6k debut and was the top Hawkeye finisher. She crossed the line in 22:55.1, good for 22nd overall. Senior Maggie Gutwein finished in second for Iowa, with a time of 23:47.9. Sophomore Kaitlin Knape (24:07.1), freshman Aleah Tenpas (24:27.0), and sophomore Chloe Skidmore (24:53.6) also made their 6,000-meter debuts and rounded out the top five finishers for the Hawkeyes. Iowa had an average time of 24:02, spread of 1:58, and earned 185 points (6th).
Mia Beckham led Butler to the team title, crossing the line in 21:16.5.
In the men’s 8,000-meter race, Iowa was paced by the freshman duo of Nathan Harbert (26:02.8) and Elijah Naumann (26:15.4). Harbert and Naumann made their 8k debuts and finished 27th and 34th, respectively. Junior Kal Lewis finished 3rd for the Hawkeyes, crossing the line in 26:22.7. Freshman Brayden Burnett (26:33.0) and sophomore Eli Ward (28:12.0) wrapped up the top five for Iowa. The Hawkeyes finished with a team total of 179 points, average time of 26:41.2, and placed 7th.
Jaime Marcos ran unattached and won the individual title with a time of 24:04.2, while Wartburg earned 43 points and took the team title.
QUOTING COACH HASENBANK
“This race was an opportunity for some of our young runners to get the college race distances under their belts. The women raced 6,000 meters, several for the first time. I thought Ana Barroso showed a lot of guts and courage. She competed very, very well the entire way. I was not surprised, as she has been training quite well. On the men’s side, Nathan Harbert had a very nice 8k debut at 26:02. I thought all three (Harbert, Naumann, and Burnett) of our freshmen took a big step in the right direction. They followed the race plan and, as a result, they ran well on the back half of the course. It was good experience for both squads.”
Up next for the Hawkeyes is the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Mo. on September 30.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 6,000-meters
22. Ana Barroso – 22.55.1
39. Maggie Gutwein – 23:47.9
45. Kaitlin Knape – 24:07.1
53. Aleah Tenpas – 24:27.0
56. Chloe Skidmore – 24:53.2
Men’s 8,000-meters
27. Nathan Harbert – 26:02.8
34. Eli Naumann – 26:15.4
37. Kal Lewis – 26:22.7
40. Brayden Burnett – 26:33.0
64. Eli Ward – 28:12.0