Peru State College Cross Country Squad Takes Part in Sunset Showdown in Kansas

LEAVENWORTH, KS - The Peru State men's and women's cross country teams on Friday, September 1, at the Sunset Showdown hosted by the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan.
 
Here's what James Cole had to say about the overall meet…
 
"Peru State College competed in the Sunset Showdown hosted by the University of Saint Mary – Kansas on Friday September 1st, 2023. The course was described by the host as a 'True cross-country course with varying terrain and hills' and they were not exaggerating," said coach Cole.
 
Cole continued…
 
"The course had several inclines and declines from gradual to fairly steep. There were patches of shade along the course."
 
Below is a breakdown of how the men's and women's cross-country teams competed at the Showdown.
 
 Women's 5K
 

1. University of St. Mary 18:40
2. MidAmerica Nazarene 21:17
3. Highland CC 22:44
4. Peru State 24:33

 
Men's 8K
 

1. University of St. Mary 24:58
2. MidAmerica Nazarene 27:54
3. Benedictine College 29:17
4. Highland CC 29:39
5. Peru State 32:11

 
Women's 5K
 
Naomi Wilson (Council Bluffs, Iowa) finished in 27^th place with a time of 23:34.04.
 
Lydia Lang (Palmyra) finished in 28^th place with a time of 23:47.16.
 
Amyra Moxey (Louisville) finished in 34^th place with a time of 24:40.58.
 
Phoebe Wilson (Council Bluffs, Iowa) finished in 37^th place with a time of 25:17.48.
 
Sara Davis Kovarik (Palmyra) finished in 38^th place with a time of 25:25.26.
 
Emma Larson (Fremont) finished in 39^th place with a time of 25:48.56.
 
Isabella Watkins (Omaha) finished in 41^st place with a time of 27:12.46.
 
Madison Wittwer (Columbus) finished in 43^rd place with a time of 31:20.02.
 
Brena Davis (Auburn) in 44^th place with a time of 34:14.76.
 
Here's what Cole said about the women's team.
 
"I am very happy seeing the improvement over the 2022 season opener and knowing that this team finish time is just two minutes and 45 seconds behind the 2022 women's teams' best last season, which was set in late October 2022," said Cole. "That is just 33 seconds per top five runner, which is less than 11 seconds per mile.  It is clear that this team put in work over the summer and is well improved over last year."
 
 
 
Men's 8K
 
Gavin Smith (Omaha) finished in 39^th place with a time of 29:17.07.

Brady VanBoening (Holdredge) finished in 49^th place with a time of 31:02.99.
 
Ty Brockhaus (Lincoln) finished in 54^th place with a time of 32:51.02.
 
Eleme Mayani (Omaha) finished in 55^th place with a time of 32:54.68.
 
Alexander Caraveo (Chappell) finished in 57^th place with a time of 34:45.16.
 
Benjamin Klemesrud (Bassett) finished in 58^th place with a time of 36:23.35.
 
Brandon Kristensen (Wausa) finished in 59^th place with a time of 37:41.28.
 
Carson Maas (Papillion) finished in 60^th place with a time of 38:09.53.
 
Austen Janssen (Newcastle) finished in 61^st place with a time of 38:26.90.
 
Matthew Ramold (Nebraska City) finished in 63^rd place with a time of 39:25.68.
 
Kohl Rutherford (North Platte) finished in 66^th place with a time of 44:08.87.
 
Here's what coach Cole had to say about the men's team
 
"I was hopeful, but unsure, if the team could continue their annual improvement streak after graduating seniors Edwin Quinones and Alan Simpson last year and losing AJ Russell from 2023 season competition due to injury.  This 2023 team stepped up and is well on track to have the best year in the revived program's history."
 
The Peru State cross-country teams will be back in action on Saturday, September 16, at the Greeno-Dirksen Invite hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at Mahoney Park Golf Course. The men run at 10:00 a.m. and the women run at 10:50 a.m.