Penn, who will be hosting the Midwest Collegiate Conference Cross Country Championships on November 7, hosted a preview meet of the 5K women's race (Saturday was actually 4,600 meters) and the 8K men's race at the Lacey Sports Complex Saturday in Oskaloosa.

On aThe Statesmen placed sixth out of seven teams with 143 points as St. Ambrose claimed the men's title with 35 points. The Lady Statesmen did not have enough competitors to be included in the women's team race as Mount Mercy won the crown over St. Ambrose and Grand View with 26 points.

Brandon Nicholson (Fr., Cedar Falls, Cedar Falls HS) topped the men in 17th place overall (69 runners) in a time of 28:25.

Jordan Letzring (Jr., Alta, Alta HS) was next in 20th place in a time of 28:34, while Donovan DeVore (So., Wilton, Wilton HS) finished 41st in a time of 29:58.

Josh Roudabush (Jr., Brooklyn, BGM HS), in 47th place in a time of 30:37, and Zack Schrock (So., Urbandale, Colfax-Mingo HS), in 66th place in a time of 35:46, rounded out the Statesmen finishes.

Jessica Bixler (Jr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) was the lone Lady Statesmen runner, placing 45th out of 54 competitors in a time of 22:14.

Next: Penn hits the road for its longest trip of the year, traveling to Wilmington, Ohio to compete in the Wilmington Fall Classic next Friday.