TERRE HAUTE, IN – The Iona College men's cross country team placed third among 38 teams competing at the Pre-National Invitational men's 8,000-meter CC Blue Race hosted by Indiana State at LaVern Gibson Championship course.
The Pre-National Invitational featured 57 total men's teams and 602 student-athletes. There were 11 nationally ranked teams competing in the various races in Terre Haute; BYU (2
nd), Colorado (3
rd), Washington (4
th), Ole Miss (8
th), Oklahoma State (14
th), Indiana (15
th), Iona (21
st), Eastern Kentucky (25
th), Arkansas (27
th), Virginia Tech (29
th) and Florida State (30
th)
The Lavern Gibson Course is popular due to its challenging, yet manageable, mix of uphill and downhill sections and its simple straightaway start that stretches for nearly the first kilometer before a turn.
RACE RECAP
Ehab El-Sandali was Iona's top performer, crossing the finish line in 23:33.0 for a sixth place finish.
John Millar snuck inside the top-10, seeing the checkered flag in 23:36.8. BYU, Iona and Colorado were the only two teams to have two runner place inside the top-10.
Jack O'Leary finished 35
th in 24:18.0 and
Jamie Dee wasn't far behind in 27
th at 24:19.8. Ed Goddard's time of 24:27.0 put him 52
nd overall.
Jordan Brannan locked in at 127th with his time of 25:05.6 and
Jac Hopkins wraps up the Maroon & Gold runners in 147
th in 25:16.7.
Connor Mantz of Bringham Young won the individual crown in 23:20.8. Within three seconds of him were Amon Kemboi of Campbell (23:22.5) and Isai Rodrigues of Oklahoma State (23:23.8).
BYU was the first place team with 81 points. It just eked past Colorado who had 83 points. Iona rocketed into third place with 140 points. Washington and Ole Miss round out the top-five with 160 and 174 points, respectively.
IONA INDIVIDUALS
UP NEXT
Next up for Iona is the 2019 MAAC Championship event on Saturday, Nov. 2. Hosted by Monmouth University at Holmdel Park, the Gaels look to continue their reign as the MAAC's cross country elite. The men are aiming to extend their MAAC title streak to 29 years, and the women's team is aiming for its fourth straight, and 14 in last 15 years.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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