The Iowa men’s cross-country team had a rough time in the Notre Dame Invitational, finishing last out of 20 teams.

Texas-El Paso won the meet, followed by North Carolina State and Colorado State. UTEP finished with 89 points, compared with Iowa’s 481.

Michael Melchert led the Hawkeyes, placing 61st with a time of 24:46.8.

“I got out fairly well and did not finish well the last 3000 meters,” he said. “It did not go like I should when it hurt.”

Next for Iowa were Ben Anderson at 84th (25:00.5) and Anthony Gregorio at 88th (25:01.3). Those were the only Hawkeyes to place in the top 100.

“We need to work on executing what we do in practice,” coach Layne Anderson said. “Running as a pack is key for us, and we really need to execute that in the race.”

Daniel Huff, Daniel Soto, Bailey Hesse-Withbroe, Ian Eklin, and Kevin Docherty rounded out the rest of the Iowa field.

This was the Hawkeyes’ toughest competition to date.

UTEP placed five runners in the top 50, and No. 27 NC State and No. 26 Colorado State had four each.

“I learned that as a team we need to get with the front pack of the race and race with some heart,” Melchert said. “Our fitness is much better than what we showedFriday.”

One of the surprises of the meet, Arizona State finished 19th. The No.18 Sun Devils failed to place a runner in the top 50.

Iowa will try to rebound at the Bradley Pink Classic in Peoria, Illinois, on Oct. 16.

“The next meet, we will be 200 percent locked in on working as a cohesive unit, and we will be ready for championship season,” Anderson said. “I guarantee that.”
— by Adam Hensley