DES MOINES, IA – A week of steady rain left the Grand View course waterlogged for the 22nd annual Viking Classic, turning what's usually a tactical race into a mud-slog survival test. Times were minutes off the pace across the board as runners fought through standing water and soft turf, but the Vikings dug in to defend their home meet against a full field of visiting teams.

Senior Matthew Bonner set the pace for the Grand View men, crossing in 30:24 to lead the Vikings to an 8th-place team finish. Sophomore Damion Winkler wasn't far behind in 30:34, with freshman Cayden Fry right on his heels in 30:44. Freshman Alan Johnson battled through his first career 8K to finish in 34:12, and Debas Hadgu rounded out Grand View's scoring five in 35:52.

On the women's side, sophomore Kendall Hein led the Vikings home in 27:06. Freshman Sarah Ho wasn't far off, running 32:54 in her first career 6K to finish as Grand View's second scorer. Returners Ella Beals and Feven Eyob also scored for the Vikings, crossing in 34:17 and 34:48, and freshman Grace Zohn closed out the scoring five in 36:29 — the first cross country race of her career.

MEN'S TOP FINISHERS (Grand View)

• Matthew Bonner (SR) – 30:24
• Damion Winkler (SO) – 30:34
• Cayden Fry (FR) – 30:44
• Alan Johnson (FR) – 34:12
• Debas Hadgu – 35:52

WOMEN'S TOP FINISHERS (Grand View)

• Kendall Hein (SO) – 27:06
• Sarah Ho (FR) – 32:54
• Ella Beals – 34:17
• Feven Eyob – 34:48
• Grace Zohn (FR) – 36:29

TEAM RESULTS

• Men: 8th place
• Women: 10^th Place

WHATS NEXT?

Grand View heads to the Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Saturday, October 3^rd to compete in the NAIA Seminole Valley Stampede.