Rye in Top 10 as Season Opens at Central Dutch Invitational

Pella–The William Penn women’s cross country team got its campaign underway as it battled at the Central Dutch Invitational Friday.

In a competition marred by oppressive heat, the Statesmen finished third out of four teams with 83 points, while host Central won the team crown with 25 points.

Maddy Stevens of Central won the 5K race in a time of 19:19.3.

Claire Rye (So., Plymouth, Iowa, Biology) headlined the Statesmen efforts by placing seventh in the 61-individual field with a time of 20:38.8.

London Mellen (Fr., Tallahassee, Fla., Kinesiology) and Kennedi Wahmhoff (So., Manton, Mich., Elementary Education) were next, placing 41st and 42nd, respectively. Mellen finished in a time of 23:59.2, while Wahmhoff hit the line at 24:23.7.

Amelia Hernandez (Fr., Lubbock, Texas, Nursing) was 52nd in a time of 26:29.3, while Nathaly Peralta (So., Dallas, Texas, New Media) wrapped up the varsity scoring in 54th at 27:23.8.

Ava Huffman (Fr., Pella, Iowa, Human Services) paced the remaining WPU runners (59th, 28:53.6).

“The ladies had a tough battle in running first today, but we saw some great things happen,” Head Coach Caleb Silver said. “We know we are very young, but they handled their first meet well considering the conditions.”

“Claire Rye put herself in position early, and believed she belonged with the top runners today,” Silver added. “London Mellen and Kennedi Wahmhoff will be a fun duo to watch as the season progresses, and we will have a couple more ladies working together throughout the season to round out our top five. It was good to see Nathaly Peralta back out there as well, competing after she missed all of last year’s outdoor track season due to an injury. Overall, we know there is plenty of room for growth and a lot of season left. This group is just getting started.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Grinnell next Saturday to compete in the Grinnell Les Duke Invitational at 9:30 a.m.