Leijenaar Paces Big Red at Nuttycombe Invitational

MADISON, Wis. – Junior Rico Leijenaar finished fifth in the men’s 8k to lead the Nebraska cross country teams at the Nuttycombe Invitational, hosted by the University of Wisconsin at the Zimmer Championship Course on Friday.

Leijenaar, a native of South Africa, finished in 23:56.2 to lead the Huskers and place fifth in a deep field of 234 runners. In the women’s 6k race, Ali Bainbridge led the Huskers in 41st with a time of 20:11.9.

The Nebraska men finished 9th of 12 teams, while the women finished 28th of 33.

Senior Gabe Hinrichs finished second among the Husker men in 60th with a time of 24:53.9. David Krier (75th, 25:09.8), Joe Majerus (88th, 25:19.6), and Josiah Bitker (92nd, 25:25.5) rounded out the top five on the men’s side.

In the women’s 6k, Freshman Marion Jepchumba crossed in 95th at 20:47.2, while Alea Hardie finished in 160th with a time of 21.16.1. Piper Petersen (22:13.1) recorded a 198th-place finish, while Sydney Drevlow (22:16.8) finished 200th to round out the top five for Nebraska.

The Nebraska cross country team will next compete at the Big Ten Championships on Friday, Oct. 30, in Madison, Wis., at the Zimmer Championship Course.

Women’s Results (6k)
41. Ali Bainbridge (20:11.9)
95. Marion Jepchumba (20:47.2)
160. Alea Hardie (21:16.1)
198. Piper Petersen (22:13.1)
200. Sydney Drevlow (22:16.8)
207. Erin Moore (22:22.3)
DNF. Berlyn Schutz

Men’s Results (8k)
5. Rico Leijenaar (23:56.2)
60. Gabe Hinrichs (24:53.9)
75. David Krier (25:09.8)
88. Joe Majerus (25:19.6)
92. Josiah Bitker (25:25.5)
93. Max Myers (25:26.8)
99. Patrick Flowers (25:38.1)
117. Sam Kirchner (26:19.9)