Bickler, CU Women Finish First at Spartan Igniter

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Clarke University women's cross country team won the season-opening Spartan Igniter, held at the Dubuque Soccer Complex on Friday afternoon, finishing with 37 points.  The men's team placed third with 63 points. 

The women's team featured a one-two-three finish that was led by Rory Bickler in first (21:16.41), Jaycie Franco in second (21:19.27), and Trinity Kessler in third (21:34.48). Bickler, the Rose Creek, Minn., native, won the 5k for the first time in her collegiate career, while Kessler recorded a personal best finish, shaving just over seven seconds from her previous PR. 

Sophomore Lydia Radeke came in 14^th with a time of 24:33.62. Meanwhile Isabel Manning, racing for the first time for Clarke after switching to cross country from women's basketball, finished 21^st with a time of 26:15.56. 

On the men's side, Bryce Kondos was the top-finisher for CU – closing the race in seventh with a time of 17:08.81. Junior Emmett Schwartzhoff finished three spots behind Kondos in 10^th and recorded a PR of 17:16, smashing his previous best of 17:45. 

Daniel Miller and Carson Sansenbach placed 15^th and 16^th, respectfully, while Kole Haverly recorded a personal best time of 18:04.91 to finish 20^th. Benjamin Vasquez, the sophomore out of Galesburg, Ill., came in 30^th, while Noah Church wrapped things up in 37^th for Clarke. 

Men's Team Results

1. Coe College – 29 Points
2. University of Dubuque – 37 Points
3. Clarke University – 63 Points

Women's Team Results

1. Clarke University – 37 Points
2. University of Dubuque – 40 Points
3. Coe College – 74 Points
4. Emmaus Bible College – 76 Points

Final results from today's race can be found here.

Up next for the Pride is a trip to Bettendorf for the Fighting Bee Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m. 

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