DePaul Leads the Pack at Huskie Invite

Friday, September 6

DeKalb, Ill.

5:30 P.M. CT

DePaul University

Huskie Opener

9/6/2024 8:45:00 PM | CROSS COUNTRY

Cross Country earns first place at Friday Invitational

DeKalb, Ill. – DePaul cross country opened its fall season on a high note at the Huskie Invite, taking first place in both the women's 5k race and the men's 4-mile race on Friday evening. The North 40 Championships Cross Country Course in DeKalb, Ill. proved to be a great springboard for the team as they began their season.

"This was the earliest we have competed during my time at DePaul; we were able to control our efforts and came out feeling confident," said head coach Geoff Wayton. "Everybody has to do their part to step up; we just have to be steady and consistent. On the women's side, Meghan Dieball had one of her best races, and freshmen Tessa Roe and Vivian Wyller made a great impact. Additionally, the men did a great job of leading the charge, with a couple of Western Illinois runners in the mix. A great blend of young and veteran runners contributed to today's performance, and I look forward to closing our one-to-five gaps."

To start the evening, the DePaul women dominated, with three runners earning top-six finishes, securing first place overall in the 5k event.

Unaffiliated runner and former DePaul cross country athlete Nina Amicon earned first place in the race with a time of 17:39.98, followed by graduate student Meghan Dieball and freshman Tessa Roe, who rounded out the top-three. Freshman Vivian Wyller also impressed in her first collegiate meet, clocking in at 18:46.45 in the women's 5k.

The Blue Demon women's squad finished with 29 points, a 14-point differential over Northwestern, who took second place as a team. Seven DePaul runners finished within the top-22, with all finishing in the top-29.

The DePaul men continued the dominance at the Huskie Opener, placing seven runners in the top nine spots en route to a first-place finish in the 4-mile race. All eight men finished in the top-17, with DePaul scoring 23 points, followed by Western Illinois with 45 points in second place.

Graduate student Damian Rodriguez earned first place in the men's race with a time of 19:48.94. Not far behind were Mason Krieg and Lucas Cunningham, who rounded out the top-five.

Graduate student Dustin Hudak finished ninth in his first run with DePaul, clocking in at 20:56.17. Freshman Nick Kamp also made his Blue Demon debut, finishing with a time of 22:40.94 in the 4-mile race, placing 17th overall.

UP NEXT
The Blue Demons return to action on Friday, Sept. 20, heading to South Bend, Ind. for the National Catholic Championships at Notre Dame.

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Huskie Opener Results
North 40 Championships Cross Country Course
Friday, September 6

Women's 5K
1. Nina Amicon (UNA) - 17:39.98
2. Meghan Dieball - 18:09.46
3. Tessa Roe - 18:25.96
6. Vivian Wyller - 18:46.45
10. Isabella Orozco - 19:08.85
13. Gianna Sanchez - 19:32.78
18. Sara Cordova - 20:04.09
23. Grace Havern - 20:34.97
29. Meaghan Andrews - 21:11.07
UNA - Unaffiliated

Men's 4M
1. Damian Rodriguez - 19:48.94
4. Mason Krieg - 20:17.56
5. Lucas Cunningham - 20:31.83
6. Griffin Lehnhardt - 20:33.91
7. Joe Knanishu - 20:34.63
8. William Previdi - 20:55.65
9. Dustin Hudak - 20:56.17
17. Nick Kamp - 22:40.94