WPU Takes Fifth in First Big Battle of Fall

North Sioux City, S.D.--The Statesmen men's cross country team put its talent to the test Saturday as it competed at the Briar Cliff Invitational.

The winner of two consecutive meets entering Saturday, William Penn placed fifth out of 18 teams with 174 points.  Dordt, which is #6 in the NAIA, won the team crown with 46 points.  Second and third place belonged to NCAA Division II programs Minnesota State-Mankato and Sioux Falls.

The Statesmen were sandwiched between two squads receiving national votes, falling behind Doane but slipping in front of Concordia (Neb.).

Tanner Maier of Minnesota State-Mankato was first out of 217 athletes on the 8K course with a time of 24:39.2.

Brandon Williams (Jr., Fountain, Colo., Civil Engineering) topped William Penn on the extremely fast course by placing 23rd with a time of 25:40.3.

D'Artagnon Beaver (Jr., Rockford, Ill., Undecided), who was 26th at 25:43.7, and Max Finley (So., Richville, N.Y., Computer Science), who was 31st at 25:48.0, were just seconds behind their teammate.

All three times now rank in the top 10 all-time in school history.

Jonah Heckenberg (Sr., Stockport, Iowa, Business Management) was not far behind in 60th at 26:33.8, while Andrew Miller (Fr., Le Claire, Iowa, Exercise Science) completed the team scoring in 77th place with a time of 26:52.1.

Ethan Varvelo (Jr., Channelview, Texas, Engineering Technology) headlined the remaining Statesmen with a time of 27:40.8 to place 106th.

"This was by far the most competitive field our team has seen this season and they rose to the occasion," Head Coach Caleb Drake said.  "We had season PRs and/or lifetime PRs across the board.  The men worked very well racing together and pushing at the later stages of the race, which ultimately allowed us to beat a team that is receiving votes nationally.  We are certainly excited about the outcome and the momentum we have is evident."

Next Up: William Penn takes a week off before traveling to Ashland, Neb. on October 21 to compete in the Flaming Tiger NAIA Classic.  The race begins at 10:45 a.m.