NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Bethany cross country competed in the rain and mud Saturday morning at the St. Olaf Invitational. Campbell Amundson paced the women's squad, while James Younge led the men. 

Amundson finished the 6k in 25:16.5 for 89th place out of 248 competitors. Paige Bell was next in 28:41.0 for 195th place, Kendal Pillar took 203rd in 28:56.3, Kara Monsebroten took 222nd in 30:54.2, and Taryn Zellmann placed 224th in 30:55.6. 

Younge took 198th place out of 272 runners, finishing the 8k race in 30:23.5. Ben Matzke finished 22th in 31:35.0, Carver Day finished 235th in 32.33.9, August Weinstein placed 242nd in 33:29.4, and Jorge Magan Munoz crossed the line in 38 minutes flat for 268th. 

"The team competed in weather typical for fall weather," said Head Coach Dominic Santina. "A rainy and muddy course proved to present challenging footing. Despite the conditions all the athletes pushed hard to finish. On the men's side, Ben Matzke ran to a new personal record, while Carver Day and Jorge Magan Munoz made their collegiate debuts, and pushed through even after a rough week of practice.

"On the women's side, four athletes made their collegiate debut at the 6k distance - Kendal Pillar, Paige Bell, Kara Monsebroten and Macy Anderson. Really proud of the group, Kendal, Paige and Gracelyn Malacek are all coming off different bouts of sickness and it showed their toughness to fight through and finish today."

Bethany is back in action Oct. 3 at Wartburg.