A number of great showings guided the William Penn track and field squads at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Outdoor Championships Thursday through Saturday.

The Statesmen men were third with 167 points, while the women finished fifth with 55.5 points. St. Ambrose swept the titles with 253 points on both sides.

Cornelius McCastle topped the men as he was named MCC Co-Field Athlete of the Year. The sophomore won the high jump at 6-8 and was also second in the triple jump (46-1.25) and third in the long jump (22-9). It is his second AOY award of his career (both this year). He shared this honor with Keegan Bludworth of Viterbo.

Eight of his teammates also scored points in multiple events. Derek Seddon was equally impressive, headlined by a school-record and winning discus toss of 175-1. He was also third in the shot put (46-8) and fourth in the hammer (154-5).

Yonas Desta, however, had to be the biggest two-event scorer, joining McCastle and Seddon in the winner’s circle. Desta claimed the 5,000-meter run title in 15:50.96, while also taking fourth in the 1,500 at 4:13.02.

Keonte White of Grand View was tabbed as MCC Track Athlete of the Year, while St. Ambrose’s Dan Tomlin won the Coach of the Year honor.

Tarah Alexander paced the women’s efforts as she was the lone event champion. The junior took the 800-meter run crown in 2:17.46 and was also seventh in the pole vault at 8-0.5.

Meaghan Foster earned two high placings as well, taking third in the shot put (42-4) and eighth in the hammer (132-11).

Molly Jo Smith of St. Ambrose was named MCC Track Athlete of the Year, while Grand View’s Val Veiock received the Field AOY accolade. Tomlin finished off the COY sweep with the women’s honor.

Next Up: William Penn will compete in a Last Chance Meet next Saturday at an event yet to be determined.