MADISON, Wis. – Penn State cross country battled through rain and strong wind at the 2023 Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on Friday, racing hard despite the tough conditions.
The Nittany Lions' women's team, led by its top finisher Maddie Ullom, competed against some of the best squads in the nation in the Championship Race, finishing 27th overall. In the men's open division, Evan Dorenkamp earned the race win and led Penn State's men's group to a third-place standing.
WOMEN'S 6K CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Ullom led the Nittany Lion women through the line in Wisconsin, her first time fronting Penn State's group this season. The Nittany Lions competed well in the rain and the wind in Madison, sticking together and finishing strong. Kileigh Kane clocked a 20:56.2, coming in close behind Ullom, while the pair of Florence Caron (21:24.6) and Sophia Toti (21:28.4) crossed the line as Penn State's third and fourth finishers.
No. 2 Northern Arizona (52 pts) claimed the team title, upsetting No. 1 NC State (95 pts), who finished second. The incredibly strong field pushed the Nittany Lions all the way through the line, as the group was able to compete well while also being able to preview the Big Ten Championship course where it will return to run on October 27.
Penn State Women's Top Seven Results (608 pts):
Place (Points) Runner Time
77 (76) Maddie Ullom 20:55.2
83 (82) Kileigh Kane 20:56.0
133 (132) Florence Caron 21:24.6
140 (139) Sophia Toti 21:28.6
182 (179) Lea Hatcher 21:51.2
211 Hayley Kitching 22:14.9
213 Makenna Krebs 22:15.7
MEN'S 8K OPEN DIVISION RACE
Dorenkamp took the top overall spot in the men's open division race with an excellent finish to cross the line in 24:56.7. Penn State's second finisher, true freshman Brian DiCola, donned the Penn State uniform for the first time and, in the sloppy, windy weather in Madison, posted a solid 25:15.7 baseline time. Ryan Watson (25:43.7), Brendan Flynn (25:54.0), and Behailu Bekele-Arcuri (26:05.1) rounded out the Nittany Lions' top five finishers as the squad claimed third place out of ten full-team entries in the open division.
Boise State (62 pts) earned the win in the open division, with Michigan (91 pts) just edging out the Nittany Lions (98 pts) for second place. The Nittany Lions were able to match up well with the Wolverines, and the squads will return to Wisconsin to battle it out once more at the Big Ten Championships on October 27.
FROM THE SOURCE: Evan Dorenkamp on his Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational Men's Open Division win.
Penn State Men's Top Seven Results (98 pts):
Place (Points) Runner Time
1 (1) Evan Dorenkamp 24:56.7
9 (5) Brian DiCola 25:15.7 PR
35 (23) Ryan Watson 25:43.7
47 (30) Brendan Flynn 25:54.0
65 (39) Behailu Bekele-Arcuri 26:05.1
74 Christopher DeSousa 26:10.7
87 Brendan Colwell 26:25.4
ADDITIONAL RUNNERS
Penn State sophomores Sarah Pickering and Katie Dallas ran in the Women's 6K Open Division Race, with the full women's squad competing in the championship division. Pickering finished in 32nd place with a 22:20.5 time, just about two seconds off her personal-best mark. Dallas finished in 23:23.4.
WHAT'S NEXT
Penn State will begin its postseason slate with a trip back to Madison for the Big Ten Cross Country Championships on October 27.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateTFXC) and X/Instagram (@pennstatetfxc).
