Mustangs win men's, women's titles at Corridor XC Clash

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Mount Mercy cross country teams opened the season on their home course Friday, winning the men's and women's team titles at the Corridor XC Clash at Seminole Valley Park.

The women's squad placed four runners in the top 10, led by runner-up Deanna Newhouse. She ran the 5K race in 19:58, trailing only Mount Mercy alum Andrea Ertz (18:53). J'Lyn Knutson (20:55) and Jessa Day (20:58) placed fifth and sixth, Ruth Jennings (21:30) finished ninth.

Abby Rinderknecht narrowly missed the top 10, placing 11th in 21:49. Ariana Lopez (16th/23:01) and Laura Bishop (23:06) rounded out Mount Mercy's top seven.

The Mustangs earned the team title with 30 points. Southeastern (57) finished second, Cornell (58) third, and the University of Iowa Track Club (79) fourth.

On the men's side, Ryan Mitchell was triumphant in his first race in a Mustang uniform, winning the 5K in 16:16. Ryan Clancy (16:31) was fifth, Oscar Lopez (16:36) eighth as three Mustangs were in the top 10.

Sergio Lizarraga (11th/16:40), Lukas Lamparek (13th/16:53), Brady Cortez (17:04), and Felix Grave (28th/17:36) completed Mount Mercy's top seven.

In the team standings it was Mount Mercy at the top with 34 points. Cornell (60) was second, the Mount Mercy Alumni (65) placed third, Hawkeye C.C. (118) fourth, Southeastern (130) fifth, University of Iowa Track Club (133) sixth, and Iowa Wesleyan (183) seventh.

The Mustangs travel to Davenport for the Fighting Bee Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 10.