MADISON, Wis. - Akis Medrano and Brooke Moore led the Indiana State Cross Country teams at the Pre-National Invitational against some of the nation's top teams on Friday in Wisconsin.
 
The Sycamore men finished 28th overall in the White 8K Race with 741 points, overtaking Tennessee-Martin, Wichita State, Ohio State, Tulane, Clemson and Central Arkansas. The women placed 29th in the 6K White Race, defeating Central Michigan, Arkansas State, Idaho State, William & Mary, Lamar, Tennessee-Martin and USC.
 
"Overall we leave Madison disappointed with our results," Associate Head Coach for Cross Country Kyle Walsh said. "This was our first 'off' performance of the season for both teams. I know we will grow from the experience and build off of it in the future."
 
Medrano, the Boswell, Ind. native, led the ISU men once again in the 8K White Race, racing well against multiple All-Americans through 6K and placing 47th overall with a time of 24:36.00. Freshman Nick Yeend was the second Sycamore across the line, taking 171st place at 25:56.30 and Ryan Cash finished right behind him, clocking a time of 25:57.40 for 173rd. Racing right on the tail of Cash was redshirt sophomore Cam Trout who finished one spot below Cash in 174th at 25:58.40. The fifth scorer across the finish line was Isaac Bentz who stayed with the pack in 176th and recorded a time of 25:59.80.
 
On the women's side, the blue and white were once again led by redshirt junior Brooke Moore. Moore was one of two Sycamores to earn a top-100 finish, placing 73rd with a time of 21:32.60. Alli Workman also raced to a top-100 finish, earning the 10th-best 6K time in school history of 21:47.67. Taking 150th, senior Jessi Conley ran the 15th-fastest time in Indiana State history, crossing the line at 22:17.16. Running fourth for the Sycamores was Michaela Ward who also entered the record books with a time of 22:24.09, which is 20th all-time. The fifth and final scorer for the women was freshman Jocelyn Quiles who made her record book debut in the 6K, running the 24th overall time in Sycamore history at 22:43.66 for 187th place.
 
"Akis and Jessi were our only seniors in the varsity lineup and their experience shined bright as both had great races for the teams," Walsh said. "Akis got a taste of battling multiple All-Americans through 6K and will be better rested and sharper to stick in there longer in four weeks at the NCAA Regional. Jessi struggled early in the season but has made huge strides forward and showed guts by racing up with Brooke and Alli for much of the race."
 
A few Sycamores will be back in action next weekend at the Illini Open before the MVC Championships which will take place in Peoria, Ill. on Oct. 27.
 
"We figured we could be in the top-25 teams today and both fell just short. I know we'll be hungry to bounce back and get on track. In two weeks we get to battle head-to-head against the Missouri Valley Conference schools at the championship meet and we always enjoy that matchup style. We will look to put it all together that day in Peoria," Walsh said.
 
Women's 6K White Race Results:
73. Brooke Moore - 21:32.60
99. Alli Workman - 21:47.67
150. Jessi Conley - 22:17.16
174. Michaela Ward - 22:34.09
187. Jocelyn Quiles - 22:43.66
219. Tara Cassidy - 23:35.49
233. Devon Zeck - 24:12.62
 
Men's 8K White Race Results:
47. Akis Medrano - 24:36.00
171. Nick Yeend - 25:56.30
173. Ryan Cash - 25:57.40
174. Cam Trout - 25:58.40
176. Isaac Bentz - 25:59.80
195. Cale Kilian - 26:20.40
219. Noah Hufnagel - 27:04.40
 
Women's 6K Gray Race Results:
93. Megan Doty - 24:00.30
96. Cami Hansen - 24:08.30
97. Taylor Rogers - 24:10.10
103. Maggie Falater - 24:49.70
105. Emma Hayward - 25:14.90
 
Men's 8K Gray Race Results:
60. Ben Payton - 26:29.80
66. Luke Kerstiens - 26:42.30
77. Ben Vertelney - 29:12.50
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Cross Country teams, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.