Storm place sixth behind Ellingson's runner-up performance
DUBUQUE - Catie Ellingson ran to a second place finish for the second year in a row at the Iowa Conference Championships on Saturday, leading Simpson to a sixth-place finish of nine teams.
Luther won the team race with 28 points, followed by Wartburg (39), Central (108), Loras (116) and Cornell (119). Simpson scored 152 points, ahead of Coe (207), Dubuque (237) and Buena Vista (282).
"The team ran extremely hard today and competed very well against some really tough conference opponents," head coach Brad Hofer said. "We are continuing to become great racers and we are seeing the desired results."
Ellingson completed the course in 22:33.9, just over five seconds behind medalist Emma Spoon from Luther. Saturday's finish marks the fourth all-conference performance for the senior from Indianola.
She placed second last year as well, behind Wartburg's Anna Kraayenbrink, who finished fourth on Saturday.
"Catie ran amazingly well today," Hofer said. "Her focus and desire today spread throughout the entire team."
Freshman Annie Hills was Simpson's number two finisher, coming in 42nd (25:04.2). Sophomore Jade Osborne placed 45th (25:08.5), junior Erin Guzman placed 60th (25:39.9) and sophomore Jayde Boyle took 71st (26:01.1), Ashley Drogo finished 79th (26:19.8) and Signe Mayland placed 80th (26:25.4), rounding out the Storm's varsity runners.
Simpson will have a week off before competing in the NCAA Regionals, held Nov. 13 in Waverly.
