DES MOINES — Blake Wallace, a junior from Ottumwa, will represent the William Penn cross country team at nationals after a strong showing at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Championships this past Saturday.

The William Penn men were fifth out of seven teams with 114 points on the Ewing Park course as St. Ambrose took the men’s team trophy and the national bid with 43 points, while Mount Mercy claimed runner-up honors with 58 points.

Wallace led the Statesmen by placing fifth out of 54 runners in a time of 28:20. The junior’s performance was good enough to earn a bid to the NAIA Cross Country National Championships this Saturday at the Dr. Wayne E. Dannehl Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wis.

Wallace, who also earned all-Midwest College Conference laurels with his finish, is the first male competitor for William Penn to qualify for nationals since Travis Sauer accomplished the feat in 2004.