WPU Finishes Fifth to Start 2025

Pella--The Statesmen women's cross country team opened its season in competition at the Central Invitational Friday.

WPU placed fifth out of seven programs with 148 points.  Host Central won the team crown with 26 points.

Hannah Roark of Grinnell headed the 85-woman race with a time of 18:57.9 on the 5K course.

Claire Rye (Fr., Plymouth, Iowa, Biology) paced William Penn in her collegiate debut, taking 24th with a time of 20:37.9.  The young Statesmen lineup featured five freshmen and one junior.

The lone junior was Briana Admire (Jr., Galesburg, Ill., Biology), who was next for WPU, taking 44th at 22:04.1, while Emmalee Wells-Stout (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) ended up 51st in 22:52.7.

Audrey Etter (Fr., Remsen, Iowa, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management), who was 62nd (24:01.4), and Mallory Ostroski (Fr., Le Grand, Iowa, Kinesiology), who was 68th (24:39.8), scored for the navy and gold as well.

Nathaly Peralta (Fr., Dallas, Texas, New Media) (76th, 26:46.9) also ran for the Statesmen Friday.

"It was fun to see our ladies get out and compete," Head Coach Caleb Drake said.  "I thought they ran well for the first meet, but each of them have different aspects of their races to improve upon.  This group will only improve and come together more as the season progresses, and we learn from each race.  We are off to a great start."

Next Up: William Penn travels to Bettendorf next Saturday to compete in the St. Ambrose Invitational at 10:30 a.m.