University of Northern Iowa
Iowa
Panthers take fifth at Hawkeye Invitational
9/4/2021 9:49:00 PM | Cross Country
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Panthers opened their seasons Sept 4. Both men and women's teams finished fifth overall. The women's total team average time was 14:58 in the 4K scoring 181 points. The men averaged a total time of 19:22 scoring 126 points in the 6K. Â
Freshman Kiki Connell dominated the field in her collegiate debut placing seventh with a time of 14:14.9 and mile time at 5:43.8. Connell is only one of three freshmen to place in the top 10 at this meet behind Drake standout Brooke Mullins and in front of Iowa State's Taylor Briggs. Sophia Jungling also clinched a top-40 place with a time of 14:56.8 averaging her mile time at 6:00.8 placing her 38th overall. Kate Crawford placed 47th overall with a time of 15:07.1. The winning time in the women's 4K was 13:43.0.Â
Sam McCool led the pack for the men, finishing 18th in the 6K with a time of 19:12.6 setting a new best for him. Freshman Payton Marrs took 24th with a time of 19:21.7. David Holesinger followed quickly behind finishing in the top 30, placing 25th overall stopping the clock at 19:22.9 setting a new best in the 6K.
For both men and women, five conference schools in attendance at the Hawkeye Invitational (Illinois State, Drake, Loyola, Bradley, UNI) the Panthers landed in second among conference competitors. The women closely behind Illinois State and the men closely behind Drake.Â
The cross country team will be back for their next race at Illinois State University on Sept. 17 in Normal, Illinois.Â
Players Mentioned
