Admire’s 29th-Place Finish Leads WPU at Heart Championship

Cedar Rapids--The Statesmen women's cross country team closed out its 2024 campaign by battling at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship Saturday.

William Penn placed 11th out of 12 teams with 286 points, while Mount Mercy claimed the team crown with 36 points.  Benedictine was close behind MMU with a runner-up finish of 49 points.

Rory Bickler of Clarke was the individual champion in the 6K race with a time of 22:27.5.

Briana Admire (So., Galesburg, Ill., Biology) topped the navy and gold with a time of 24:27.1 to place 29th overall.

Morgan Taylor (Jr., Galesburg, Ill., Nursing) was next for WPU in 78th in a time of 27:44.3, while Avery Waterhouse (So., Olds, Iowa, Nursing) placed 83rd in 28:09.2.

Abby Wilson (Sr., Calgary, Alberta, Nursing), in 86th (28:21.1), and Roselaure Fuller (Sr., Pella, Iowa, Nursing), in 88th (28:32.4), also scored for the Statesmen.

Rebecca Warren (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Nursing) paced the remaining William Penn harriers in 106th place (31:45.2).

"We competed to the best of our ability today, which was highlighted by many lifetime and season bests," Head Coach Caleb Drake said.  "I am proud of the work this team put in this season and how they competed today. We will build on all of the positives from this season as we look ahead to track season and beyond."