PEORIA, Ill. – University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country earned top-half team placings in its regular season finale at the Bradley Pink Classic on Friday.

Iowa senior Jack Pendergast guided the Hawkeye men through wet and rainy conditions to an 11th-place finish (out of 28) with his 25:04.4 time in the 8,000-meter red race. Pendergast finished 41st overall and led the men’s team for the first time this season. Junior Aidan King had a strong showing, setting a career best 25:18.0. Junior Ian Geisler (25:22.1), freshman Miles Wilson (25:28.9) and sophomore Will Ryan (25:33.0) rounded out the scoring for Iowa.

On the women’s side, senior Amber Aesoph was Iowa’s top finisher for the third time this season, leading the women’s team to an 11th-place finish (out of 32 teams). Aesoph set a new personal record in the 6,000-meter red event, crossing the line in 21:49.3 and earning 30th-place, overall. Seniors Alli Bookin-Nosbisch (22:00.7) and Abby Ryon (22:07.4) also clocked career bests on Friday afternoon. Freshman Cameron Kalaway finished with a time of 22:26.3 and scored for the Hawkeyes for the first time this season.

A trio of Hawkeyes began the day with the men’s 8,000-meter white race. Freshman Luke Knepp, sophomore Nate Harbert and junior Yohana Yual implemented a pack mentality during the race and stayed together in the top ten through the first 4,000 meters. Knepp and Harbert wrapped up their day with top-ten finishes and new personal bests, crossing the line in 25:25.0 and 25:31.5, respectively.

The women’s 6,000-meter white event followed, with senior Kelli Tosic (22:36.4) and freshman Clare Kelly (22:41.0) finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. Sophomore Rowan Boulter (22:54.0) and seniors Ellie Twedt (22:55.9) and Katie Moore (23:06.1) put together strong performances and secured top-20 finishes.

UP NEXT: The Hawkeyes turn their focus to postseason competition, beginning with the Big Ten Championships in Madison, Wisconsin, on October 27.