Mustangs take women's team title, men finish runner-up

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Mount Mercy women earned their second team title in as many races while the Mustang men finished runner-up at Saturday's Grand View Viking Invitational at DMACC Cross Country Course. 

William Penn ran away with the men's team title with just 20 points. The Statesmen were followed by Mount Mercy (64), Southeastern (93), DMACC (94), Grand View (97), Graceland (170), and Faith Baptist (171).

Ryan Mitchell led the way for the Mustangs, posting a time of 27:16.5 in the men's 8K. Lukas Lamparek placed 14th (28:31.9), then came Ryan Clancy (16th/28:41.8), Noah Cokel (28:58.7), Ty Costigan (26th/29:52.0), Trey Schulte (32nd/30:26.2), Josh Smith (34th/30:30.2), Luke Munsey (46th/33:17.3), Nathan Skala (55th/34:07.4), and Josh Scholl (61st/35:29.2).

Mount Mercy hadn't raced since winning the season-opening Corridor XC Clash on Sept. 1. Three weeks later, it was the same result as the women cruised to the team championship with 50 points. Southeastern Community College was next with 72, followed by DMACC (82), Grand View (104), Graceland (123), William Penn (138), Crown (148), and Faith Baptist (191).

J'Lyn Knutson paced the Mustangs while finishing fourth with a time of 20:22.9 in the 5K race. Joining her in the top 10 was Jessa Day, who placed ninth in 21:02.4. Ruth Jennings came in 11th (21:08.8), Abby Knepper 12th (21:13.3), Kayla Overton 19th (21:45.1), Abby Rinderknecht 21st (21:59.2), Ariana Lopez 24th (22:19.5), Carli Reittinger 27th (22:30.4), and Kilee Flockhart 45th (24:52.3).

The Briar Cliff Invitational is next for the Mustangs. They will head to Sioux City for the event on Oct. 7 with an 11:00 am start.