Mustangs host Seminole Valley Stampede, finish in top three

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Mount Mercy women's cross country team was runner-up and the Mustang men finished third on their home course Saturday at the Seminole Valley Stampede.

For the third time in four meets, J'Lyn Knutson paced the women's squad. Her time of 19:38.7 in the 5K was good for fifth place and earned her Heart of America Athletic Conference Runner of the Week for the second time this season.

Mount Mercy's top seven also included Emma Althoff (8th/20:05.9), Kayla Overton (9th/20:09.9), Abby Knepper (11th/20:16.4), Ariana Lopez (24th/21:11.9), Abby Rinderknecht (28th/21:24.9), and Jessa Day (40th/22:29.5).

William Woods won the team title with 33 points. Mount Mercy was next with 51 points, followed by Southeastern C.C. (84), Viterbo (101), Grand View (102), Graceland (116), and Judson (184).

Ryan Clancy clocked a personal best in the 8K, crossing the finish line in 25:43.4 to finish third in the men's individual standings. Ryan Mitchell (19th/26:55.5), Ty Costigan (22nd/27:05.1), Lukas Lamparek (26th/27:23.0), Brady Cortez (29th/27:40.4), Noak Cokel (42nd/28:29.1), Trey Schulte (51st/29:19.3), Josh Smith (54th/29:38.9), Luke Munsey (69th/31:10.5), and Nathan Skala (71st/31:12.5) also raced for the Mustangs.

Iowa Central came away with the men's championship with 31 points. William Woods finished second with 63 points, Mount Mercy third with 94 points. The rest of the men's field was Park (101), Midland (133), Southeastern C.C. (148), Judson (162), Grand View (178), Viterbo (224), and Graceland (282).

The Mustangs will return to Seminole Vally Park in two weeks for the Heart of America Cross Country Championships on Nov. 4. The women's race will start at 11:00 am with the men's to follow at 11:45.