Bickler breaks school record as Pride competes at Brian T. Simpson Invitational

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Returning to action after a week away from the course, the Clarke University men's and women's cross-country teams competed at the Brian T. Simpson Invitational resulting in Rory Bickler finishing first for the women and Chesney Capron being the top finisher on the men's team.

Bickler, finishing in 11th out of 94 runners in the 5k, ran a time of 18:41.16 which was just over a minute off the leader and good for a school record in the women's 5k. Capron, earning a 47th-place finish out of 104 runners, hit a time of 27:10.14.

Also crossing the finish line in the 27th minute on the men's team, Emmett Schwartzhoff was just behind Capron with a time of 27:25.08, good for 58th place, and Drew Pate with a time of 27:52.18, good for 69th.

Jaycie Franco crossed the line in under 20 minutes obtaining 26th place with a time of 19:39.11.

Four members of the women's team finished the race in the 21st minute with Samantha Callahan finishing ahead out of that group (21:32.12), followed by Megan Hageman (21:37.28), Allena Rowland (21:39.36), and Lydia Radeke (21:40.32).

Three members of the men's team completed the 8k in the 28th minute and finished together with Bryce Kondos ahead of the group with a time of 28:06.11, followed by Kole Haverly (28:06.55), and Eric Chatham (28:08.54).

Wrapping up the women's race, Keona Coleman finished with a time of 22:02.15 and Lena Wilson at 25:19.71.

Cord Nietert, Charlie Juntunen, and Benjamin Vasquez wrapped up competition for the men with times of 29:00.92, 29:29.57, and 31:14.12.

Pride men's and women's cross country will travel to Peoria, Ill. for the Bradley Pink Classic next weekend, Oct. 13th.