MADISON, Wis. – University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country previewed the Big Ten Championships course at the Badger Classic on Saturday morning.

The men’s 8,000-meter race started the day, with the team earning 98 points and taking fifth place, and the women finished their 5,000-meter race with 164 point to place sixth.

The Iowa men were led by sophomore Miles Sheppard, who sped to a career best 24:38.3 to finish ninth overall. Sophomore Hayden Kuhn also set a new best, crossing the line in 25:02.5. Senior Jack Pendergastmade his season debut and was the third Hawkeye across the finish line, clocking 25:10.1. Sophomore Will Ryan (25:20.5) recorded a personal record, while freshman Miles Wilson followed right behind in 25:20.6 to round out the top five Hawkeye finishers. Brayden Burnett shaved five seconds off of his previous best from a year ago, stopping the clock in 25:41.2.

Senior Amber Aesoph led the Hawkeye women for the second-consecutive race, clocking in at 19:09.3. Sophomores Jalyssa Blazek and Aleah Tenpas continued their strong start to the season, finishing in 19:31.1 and 19:32.3, respectively. Tenpas’ mark was a new best. Freshman Clare Kelly once again found herself in the top five amongst Hawkeye runners, crossing the line in 19:40.2. Senior Brooke McKee rounded out scoring with a 19:49.2.

UP NEXT: The Hawkeyes will send a women’s-only squad to Normal, Illinois, for the Redbird Invite on Sept. 15.

HAWKEYE RESULTS:
Men’s 8,000-meters:
9. Miles Sheppard – 24:38.3, PR
17. Hayden Kuhn – 25:02.5, PR
21. Jack Pendergast – 25:10.1
25. Will Ryan – 25:20.5, PR
26. Miles Wilson – 25:20.6
34. Brayden Burnett – 25:39.6, PR
37. Ian Geisler – 25:45.0
42. Flynn Milligan – 26:00.4
43. Luke Knepp – 26:02.1
51. Aidan King – 26:20.7
53. Nate Harbert – 26:38.4

Women’s 5,000-meters:
35. Amber Aesoph – 19:09.3
45. Jalyssa Blazek – 19:31.1
46. Aleah Tenpas – 19:32.3, PR
52. Clare Kelly – 19:40.2
60. Brooke McKee – 19:49.2
63. Abby Ryon – 19:54.2
66. Rowan Boulter – 20:02.4
68. Audra Soderlind – 20:06.9
69. Cameron Kalaway – 20:14.0
71. Ellie Rathe – 20:24.9
72. Ellie Twedt – 20:26.7