Montgomery, Sandeen Lead Hawkeyes at Gans Creek Classic

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Iowa cross country posted nine personal bests at the Gans Creek Classic on Friday morning. 

Fifth-year Miriam Sandeen led the way for the Hawkeyes in the women’s 6,000 meters, finishing 76th with a season-best 21:02.6. Third-years Elena Torres (21:17.0) and Hillary Trainor (21:17.9) followed with season bests of their own. Freshman Avery Rump secured a new personal best, crossing the line in 21:53.5. Also posting lifetime best marks were third-year Julia Gehl (21:55.4) and first-year Noella Ross (22:16.7).  

For the men, third-year Kyle Montgomery finished 57th overall, recording a new personal record of 23:56.1. Scoring next were fourth-year Luke Knepp (24:27.9) and fifth-year Will Ryan, who crossed the line in 24:35.8. First-year Slader Buckheister improved upon his previous best and was the fourth Hawkeye to finish with a time of 24:44.3. Rounding out the scoring was second-year Elias Arbuckle in 25:00.3. 

Four more Iowa underclassmen joined Buckheister with personal bests: freshmen Reed Robbins (25:04.1) and Aaron Yarbro (25:11.1), and second-years Owen Wolfe (25:05.6) and Spencer Alf (25:23.3). 

The men's team took 24th with 592 points, and the women’s team placed 25th with 599 points.

HEAR FROM COACH HASENBANK
"We had some nice individual performances today. Kyle and Miriam raced with a lot of confidence and competed well throughout. Both have more to give as they each closed very well over the last kilometer. Our three freshmen raced well in only their second 8k. Luke is moving in the right direction after a long spring and summer. Hillary and Elena put together solid performances as well. Both squads have more work to do. They need to be more assertive early in races. With a break in the racing schedule, we need a couple of big weeks of training before our next race in mid-October."

Up Next: The Hawkeyes will head to Peoria, Illinois, on Oct. 16 for the Bradley Pink Classic. 

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 6,000 Meters Invite 
25th Place - 599 points
76. Miriam Sandeen - 21:02.6
103. Elena Torres - 21:17.0
106. Hillary Trainor - 21:17.9
173. Avery Rump - 21:53.5, PR
175. Julia Gehl - 21:55.4, PR 
202. Noella Ross - 22:16.7, PR
203. Clare Kelly - 22:17.0
245. Marissa Long - 23:39.5

Men’s 8,000 Meters Invite
24th Place - 592 points
57. Kyle Montgomery - 23:56.1, PR
119. Luke Knepp - 24:27.9
133. Will Ryan - 24:35.8
148. Slader Buckheister - 24:44.3, PR
175. Elias Arbuckle - 25:00.3
184. Reed Robbins - 25:04.1, PR
187. Owen Wolfe - 25:05.6, PR
195. Aaron Yarbro - 25:11.1, PR
200. Spencer Alf - 25:23.3, PR