Men’s Cross Country Team Tightens Splits in First 6K

IOWA CITY–The Men's Cross Country team fought valiantly against the odds on Friday, September 6, competing in their first ever 6K race at the Hawkeye Invitational.

The RedTails squad competed primarily against D1 teams at a distance they have never run before. Scoring was hard to come by, but the resilient group found a way to perceiver and improve by closing their time gaps. 

"The men's team tightened the gap on the top five and even the top seven," said head coach Tyler Mulder. "When you can close the gaps, you'll have a stronger team finish."

The RedTails were led again by Sam Mickelson (40th, 20:04.4), who now holds the school 6K record, and Jonny Smith (48th, 20:16.8). The RedTail top five was rounded out by Payton Bahl (21:01.4), Brandon Conrad (21:22.0) and Keegan Dally (21:40.5) who ran together well throughout the race.

"The Men's team is taking form, I like the Sam & Jonny 1-2 punch, then we're looking to bring 3-5 in with them to be a solid pack," says Coach Mulder.

The men's team races again this Saturday, September 14, in Decorah at the Luther Invite.