NIACC cross country teams compete at regionals on Sunday

NIACC’s John Kraft runs at the Trent Smith Invitational on Oct. 13 on the NIACC campus in Mason City

FORT DODGE – The No. 12 NIACC men and No. 23 NIACC women cross country teams will compete in the 2017 NJCAA Region XI meet on Sunday at the Lakeside Municipal Golf Course.

The men’s 8-kilometer race starts at 11 a.m. and the women’s 5K race starts at noon.

A total of three men’s teams in the regional meet are ranked in the latest NJCAA Division I poll. Iowa Central is ranked No. 1, NIACC sits at No. 12 and Southwestern is No. 24.

NIACC placed second at last year’s regional meet in Mason City with 52 points. Iowa Central was the regional champion for the fourth straight season with 19 points.

NIACC’s Blake Keller, John Kraft and Samuel Dean were honorable mention all-region performers at the 2016 regional meet. Keller was 16th, Kraft was 20th and Dean was 23rd.

A total of four women’s teams in the regional meet are ranked in the NJCAA Division I poll. Iowa Central is ranked No. 1, Iowa Western is No. 17, Indian Hills is No. 22 and the Lady Trojans are No. 23.

The NIACC women placed third at the 2016 regional meet in Mason City with 95 points. Iowa Central won the regional meet for the 13th straight season with 17 points and Iowa Western was second with 66 points.

NIACC’s Amy Fullerton and Keisha Gonzague both earned honorable mention all-region honors at the 2016 meet. Fullerton was 23rd and Gonzague was 24th.

NJCAA Region XI Cross Country Meet Facts

Where – Lakeside Municipal Golf Course, Fort Dodge, Iowa.

When – Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017.

10:45 a.m. – National Anthem and flag ceremony.

11 a.m. – Men’s 8K race

Noon – Women’s 5K race

2 p.m. – Awards and banquet in Triton Café on Iowa Central campus.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The NJCAA Division I national cross country meet is set for Nov. 11 in Fort Dodge.

REGIONAL AND COURSE RECORDS

Women’s 5K regional record – Iowa Central’s Viola Kebenei 17:25 (2014 in Emmetsburg).