Heart Cross Country Runners of the Week – October 4
The Heart of America Athletic Conference announced its fourth edition of the Heart Cross Country weekly awards, as Benedictine College’s David Mannella won his second Heart Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week award of 2021, while Mount Mercy’s Kelsi Huhndorf is the Heart Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week.
The Heart of America Athletic Conference announced its fourth edition of the Heart Cross Country weekly awards, as Benedictine College's David Mannella won his second Heart Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week award of 2021, while Mount Mercy's Kelsi Huhndorf is the Heart Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week.
Huhndorf and the Mustangs competed in the Dan Huston Invitational over the weekend in a strong field that including several NAIA and NCAA programs including the No. 2 and No. 6 nationally ranked NCAA Division III programs.
The Marion, Iowa native finished 23rd overall in a time of 23:22 in a field of 123 competitors. This also marked the first 6K race she has competed in, in her career.
Mannella, who also captured the Heart Runner of the Week back on September 20, competed in the Chilli Pepper Cross Country Festival race in Fayetteville, Arkansas and placed 11th overall in a time of 26:11.
The 8K race consisted of 256 total runners and his time was the fastest of any NAIA runner competing.