The Spartan Cross Country team competed on Friday, September 2 at the inaugural Yellowjacket Invitational on the campus of Graceland University in Lamoni, IA.  Competing against Indian Hills Community College and Graceland University, the women's team fell to both Indian Hills and Graceland by the score of 24-45-55 in the 4,000m race. The Southwestern men split the meet, defeating Graceland, but losing to Indian Hills by the score of 18-55-66 in the 6,000m race.

 The Spartans were paced by freshman Kimberly Zepeda (Rockford, IL), who placed fourth in her collegiate debut.  Zepeda ran 16:40 for the 4,000m course. Freshman Alyssa Proffitt (Afton) finished sixth with a time of 17:18.  Freshman Jenna Faust (Earlham) placed 12th in 18:29, while freshman Madison Mace (Griswold) and freshman Odette Muziranenge (West Des Moines) rounded out the scoring with their 15th and 19th place finishes, respectively.  "We competed as a full team for the first time this season, and I believe that our women have the ability to sneak up on some teams later this season.  I was happy to see Kimberly Zepeda and Jenna Faust run their first race as Spartans today."

Leading the way for the team was sophomore Nate Hoyt (Shenandoah, pictured above) with a third place finish in the 6,000m run with a time of 21:48.  Jacob Bolinger (Clearfield) ran 22:20 for an eighth place finish.  Rounding out the scoring for the men were freshmen Chance Webster (Panora), Kevin Dietrich (Port Neches, TX), and Travis Purdy (Creston).  "Today, the plan was to run our race regardless of what our competition did.  Nate Hoyt did a wonderful job dictating the race as he was leading with 1,000m to go.  I believe that our men will continue to improve this year as we gain fitness and racing experience.

The Spartans are idle this coming weekend before returning to racing at the Viking Invitational hosted by Grand View University at Water Works Park in Des Moines.  Follow Spartan Track & Field and Cross Country on Twitter at @SWCC_Track_XC.

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