Men win, women take fifth at Wisconsin adidas Invitational

The IU men’s and women’s cross country teams took a huge step on a national stage at the adidas Invitational in Madison, Wis., on Saturday.

The men ran to an overall team win as sophomore Andy Bayer and junior Andrew Poore finished second and third, respectively.

The IU men, who were ranked No. 25 nationally heading into Saturday, beat a field that included 11-time defending Big Ten Champion Wisconsin and five other ranked teams.  

Along with Bayer and Poore, the Hoosiers placed two others in the top-10. Junior De’Sean Turner took eighth place, and sophomore Zach Mayhew finished 10th.

The IU women took fifth place in their meet. Senior Sarah Pease and junior Chelsea Blanchard were the top finishers for the Hoosiers, taking seventh and 13th, respectively.

The women finished ahead of No. 7 Florida and No. 26 Wisconsin as sophomores Samantha Ginther, Erica Ridderman, Kelsey Duerksen and Lyndsey Wall all finished in the top-50 for the cream and crimson.

Neither team will compete again until Oct. 16 when they return to action at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival in Fayetteville, Ark.