HASTINGS, Neb. – The Bulldog Cross Country teams paced Hastings home course at the Bronco Stampede in Hastings, Neb. The Concordia men were the winner of the meet as they defeated Doane by 13 points. The Bulldog women grabbed second place behind Friends University.
“It was outstanding,” head coach Matt Beisel said. “We came off the Dordt meet in third place only 13 points behind Northwestern who ended placing 2nd to Dordt. We beat Doane which is a nice start because they beat us in conference at the end of last season.”
Sophomore Camden Sesna continued his strong performance this season running a personal best time of 26:19.15. The Kearney, Neb., native was the top GPAC finisher in the event with an overall finish of seventh place. Sesna was the fastest Bulldog for the second straight meet.
The Bulldog trio of Calvin Rhode, Jordan Lorenz and Wyatt Lehr finished in order placing in 20th through 22nd. Sophomore Antonio Blaine rounded out the scoring placing in 25th with a time of 27:41.88. The rest of the top 10 for the Bulldogs was rounded out by Owen Dawson (28:16.37; 35th), Ethan Hensley (28:41.96; 40th), Ethan Pankow (28:48.57; 42nd), Nick Price (29:01.39; 47th), and Nick Zadar (29:16.32; 49th).
On the women’s side, Friends University ran away with the team title, scoring 24 points. The Bulldogs followed in second with a score of 63 points.
The Bulldogs were hampered by injuries as two of their top their runners missed the meet.
“Two of our top three runners sat out due to minor injuries,” Beisel said. “That was a difference-maker.”
Freshman Grace Reiman claimed the top spot for the Concordia women as she placed 13th with a time of 20:18.75.
The rest of the top 10 for the Bulldogs was rounded out by Lydia Cook (20:24.81; 16th), Amie Martin (20:44.02; 21st), Alyssa Fye (20:54.13; 23rd), Alyssa Bierwagen (21:15.04; 28th), Abi DeLoach (21:15.49 29th), Keri Bauer (21:19.83; 33rd), Mollie Rathjen (21:53.98; 43rd) and Lauren Ada (22:08.15 46th).
The season will continue Sept. 26 at the Dean White Invitational hosted by Doane. Race time is set for 10 a.m. CT.