XC: Men finish third at Big 12

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The No. 30-ranked Iowa State men’s cross country team took third at today’s Big 12 Championship at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas. The Cyclones notched two All-Big 12 performers in the outing, defeating No. 28 Texas.

Cyclone freshman Dan Curts was the team’s top finisher in the 8-kilometer race, placing 10th with a time of 24:29. Curts was the top freshman in the field, finishing second in the newcomer race to Kansas’ Jacob Morgan.

Senior Martin Coolidge joined Curts on the All-Big 12 podium with a 14th-place finish. Coolidge clocked a time of 24:34, moving up throughout the race and overtaking several competitors down the stretch.

Edward Kemboi and Toby Hardwick finished 17th and 18th, respectively, giving the Cyclones four finishers inside the race’s top-20. Kemboi crossed the line in 24:45.5, with Hardwick on his heels in 24:45.8.

Brian Llamas ran as the team’s fifth scorer in the race, placing 23rd with a finishing time of 24:51.7.

The Iowa State men ran conservatively out of the gate, improving their standing in the later parts of the race en route to the third-place team finish.

The Cyclones’ team-finish ties their third-highest showing at a Big 12 Championship race.

Next Time Out
Iowa State returns to the course Nov. 14 in Peoria, Illinois. The Cyclones will be competing at the NCAA Midwest Regional, where the team will look to earn a qualifying spot to the NCAA Championships.

Team Results
1. Oklahoma State – 27
2. Oklahoma – 65
3. Iowa State – 80

Individual Results
1) Kirubel Erassa, Oklahoma State, 24:08; 10) Dan Curts, Iowa State, 24:29; 14) Martin Coolidge, Iowa State, 24:35; 17) Edward Kemboi, Iowa State, 24:46; 18) Toby Hardwick, Iowa State, 24:46; 23) Brian Llamas, Iowa State, 24:52; 24) Christian DeLago, Iowa State, 24:53; 29) Nathan Rodriguez, Iowa State, 24:59; 31) Tyler Jermann, Iowa State, 25:01; 37 Brian Biekert, Iowa State, 25:19; 55) Patrick Peterson, Iowa State, 25:59