RedTail Cross Country Season Opener in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA- Women's and Men's 5k Race Recap:
The RedTails Women's Cross Country had their season debut at the Corridor XC Clash, hosted by Mount Mercy University. The RedTails team consisted of Freshman Rachel Rusche and Triniti Etzel. The two freshmen made their collegiate debut in the hot humid race where the temps were up to 90 degrees. Rusche was the top RedTail finisher placing 35th with a time of 26:32.7 followed closely behind by Etzel at 37th with a time of 28:03.1.

Head coach Tyler Mulder had some positive words after the RedTails last competition.

"It was fun to have those girls get out there and kick off our 2022 xc season," he said! "We're hoping to continue to build and improve each week and add a few of our middle-distance athletes towards the end of the season!"

The RedTails Men's Cross Country started their season at the Corridor XC Clash at Mount Mercy University. The Men's team placed third overall with two runners placing in the top 15. Sophomore D'Artagnon Beaver leads the charge with a 16:34.1 which is impressive with the heat. Freshman Brennan Sauser set a new personal best with a 16:56.8. Zach Niederklopfer also nearly set a PR with a 17:32.7. Hunter Hughlette and Victor Echeveste rounded out our top five scoring athletes at 47th and 60th place with times of 18:59.8 and 20.09.1. Kory Sweeny and Bryce Grissom followed close behind finishing 61st and 66th.

Head coach Tyler Mulder had some positive words after the RedTails last competition.

"We really wanted to see where we were at after about a month of training together," he said. We had some good positives to build off of and walked away with some personal best and near-personal best times in some hot conditions. We are building mileage and racing distance as the guys will next get to race their first 4-mile race at the Luther All-American Invite in Decorah."

The RedTails next competition will come September 10 in Decorah, IA for the Luther College Invite.