Hawkeyes Post 6 Top 10 Marks, 12 Personal Bests in Opener

 

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa cross country opened the 2025 regular season with the women's team title at the Hawkeye Invitational on Friday night at the Ashton Cross Country Course. 

Overall, Iowa posted six times on the program’s all-time list and combined for 12 individual personal records.

Iowa’s women placed first with 24 points and were led by sophomore Elena Torres, who finished the 4,000-meter race in 13:44.6. Iowa’s men placed tied for first with 34 points and were led by junior Luke Knepp, who finished the 6,000-meter race in 17:59.2. Iowa Central won the tiebreaker in the team race.

The women kicked off the evening with seven top-10 finishes, including two all-time best performances at Iowa. Torres finished first, with a personal-best time, ranking her third all-time at Iowa. 

“Everything went really well,” said Elena Torres. “For our team, we raced competitively. This is our home course, so we know it well. Personally, I went out and gave it my all, and that's my goal every race. I feel like it just panned out perfectly.”

Senior Jalyssa Blazek posted a personal-best time of 13:58.6 to move her to eighth all-time at Iowa. 

The men finished off the night with four top-10 finishes in the 6,000-meter race. All four of those Hawkeyes landed on the all-time best performances at Iowa. Knepp finished second with a personal-best time of 17:59.2, shooting him up to second in school history. 

“Today was just about getting out here and getting a race under our legs before we move up to an 8,000-meter race,” Knepp said. “I think we're in a good spot and I'm excited for the season.”

Elias Arbuckle finished with a time of 18:09.0 in his Hawkeye debut and moved to fifth all-time at Iowa. Kyle Montgomery (18:11.3), and Carson Houg (18:12.9) both set new personal bests making them seventh and ninth, respectively at Iowa. 

The women recorded six additional personal-best including Miriam Sandeen (14:08.1) and Hillary Trainor (14:17.0) who finished fifth and seventh, respectively. Clare Kelly (14:27.9), and Audra Soderlind (14:33.2) also finished in the top 10. Marissa Long (14:35.8) and Ellie Rathe (14:57.6) continued the good night with two personal bests. 

The men tallied two additional personal bests from Ethan Eichhorn (18:18.7) and Armaan Chopra (18:51.8).

The Hawkeyes had four freshmen compete. For the women, Emma Magallan started off her collegiate career with an eighth-place finish. For the men, Arbuckle, Owen Wolfe (18:57.1) and Spencer Alf (19:03.1) also competed in their first collegiate races.

HEAR FROM COACH RANDY HASENBANK 

“The women's team did a great job. If you look at the year-over-year improvement, it's exciting to see just how much they improved. Elena Torres secured the number three spot on our all-time list tonight, and when you compare her times with our top ten, she’s right up there with some of the best athletes we've had. Jalyssa Blazek had a great summer and she's coming back very committed to her senior year. Hillary Trainor improved by over 30 seconds in a relatively short race. Ella Magallan did great in her debut. That should give them a lot of confidence moving into the next race. 

On the men's side, we were without a couple of our top guys including Brayden Burnett and Miles Wilson. Luke Knepp was a little under the weather today as well, but even on his worst day he is really good. It was exciting to watch him run. Kyle Montgomery and Elias Arbuckle did well. Carson Houg had a good second half of the race as well. So, overall we competed well in some good weather.”

Up Next: Iowa heads to the Roy Griak Invitational at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Minneapolis on Sept. 19. Competition begins with the men’s 8,000 meters at 10:00 a.m. (CT). The women’s 6,000 meters will follow.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 4,000 Meters
1. Elena Torres - 13:44.6, PR + 3rd at Iowa 
3. Jalyssa Blazek - 13:58.6, PR + Tied 8th at Iowa
5. Miriam Sandeen - 14:08.1, PR
7. Hillary Trainor - 14:17.0, PR
8. Ella Magallan - 14:25.1
9. Clare Kelly - 14:27.9, PR
10. Audra Soderlind - 14:33.2, PR
12. Marissa Long - 14:35.8, PR
16. Julia Gehl - 14:49.3
17. Cameron Kalaway - 14:53.2
18. Rowan Boulter - 14:54.4
20. Ellie Rathe - 14:57.6, PR

Men’s 6,000 Meters
2. Luke Knepp - 17:59.2, PR + 2nd at Iowa
6. Elias Arbuckle - 18:09.0, 5th at Iowa
7. Kyle Montgomery - 18:11.3, PR + 7th at Iowa
8. Carson Houg - 18:12.9, PR + 9th at Iowa 
12. Ethan Eichhorn - 18:18.7, PR
18. Hayden Kuhn - 18:40.7
20. Armaan Chopra - 18:51.8, PR
22. Owen Wolfe - 18:57.1
23. Spencer Alf - 19:03.1