Blevins Places Second, Sets 6k Program Record at Grand View Invitational
Ankeny, IA -- Carlie Blevins and Brian Rohde paced their teams in another successful meet as the Eagles ran at "home" for the only time this season.
For the first time in 2025, all rostered runners competed on Saturday as the Eagles took the course at DMACC in their closest race to home this season. The women ran their first 6k of the year, and the men continued with another 8k.
Carlie Blevins (23:28.12) and Lydia Mueller (28:49.50) PR'd on the day, while Jelena Bausch (29:53.52) and Leah Leary (31:27.79) set benchmarks for the next 6k. Becca Hulinsky came just shy of a top tweny finish and new PR as she finished with a time of 26:47.93. Blevins' performance was enough to give her a second place finish, coming in just 5 second behind first place. On top of that, she set a new program record for a 6k, beating the record she previously set in 2024. The women's team will run in two more 6k's in the upcoming weeks, giving them plenty of time for new bests.
Brian Rohde led the men's team, shaving 46 seconds off of his time for a new PR and a 21st place finish. Ethan Smith set a new PR and reached the individual qualifying mark for NCCAA Nationals with his time of 32:14.72. Christian Farr (36:05.59) and Maxwell Johnston (37:25.12) both set PRs on the day, and the top five of Rohde, Etham Smith, Farr, Andrew Hackley (36:12.36), and Ben Hackley (36:24.36) rounded out team scoring for the Eagles, earning them a 7th place finish. Brandon Smith posted a time of 37:38.31 as the Eagles completed another successful race.
Up Next: Faith Cross Country heads back to Pella, IA for the Dutch Open on Friday, Sept. 26th. The women will run another 6k beginning at 5:00 p.m. CT, and the men will race their 8k at 5:45 p.m. CT.
