William Penn University
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. —
The William Penn men’s cross country team opened 2012 with a solid showing under the lights at the Augustana Twilight Invitational Friday.
On a course illuminated both conventionally (soccer field lights) and unconventionally (glow sticks), freshman Yanni Gallagher led his squad on the four-mile course with a time of 21:05.13. In his first collegiate race, he finished 48th out of the 147-person field.
Nick Thomas was next in 81st place with a time of 22:00.33, while Blake Washington also snuck inside the top-100 by finishing 93rd in 22:16.07.
Deane Wichelt, in 114th at 22:56.90, and Dexter Jordan, in 121st at 23:19.84, were just seconds apart. Quintin Marshall then came across the line in 128th (23:49.80), and Stepfon Williams was 137th (24:57.99). Cameron Pittman was the final Statesmen to finish the course (142nd, 25:47.45).
“Considering it was a short week of practice, I thought we went out and competed well,” Penn coach Cody Ingold said. “The guys started the season on a great note, and Yanni made a name for himself right away tonight. Nick, Blake, Deane, Quintin and Dexter all ran well together early on which helped set them up for an overall solid race.”
Paul Yak of the host Vikings held off an army of his teammates for the victory. Yak finished in a time of 19:21.98, while the next five runners, all from Augustana, crossed within the next five seconds. No team scores were kept in the meet.
William Penn travels to Grinnell next Saturday to compete in the Grinnell Les Duke Invitational.
