NIACC men’s cross country team ranked No. 22

MASON CITY – The NIACC men’s cross country team is tied for No. 22 in the second USTFCCA NJCAA Divison I poll released Wednesday.

The Trojans are tied with Grand Rapids CC and Mott CC.

Iowa Central is ranked No. 2, Hawkeye CC is No. 16 and Indian Hills is No. 19.

NIACC was tied for 17th in the first poll of the season released in September.

NIACC placed 45th out of 49 teams at the University of Arkansas Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival on Sept. 22.

NIACC was led by freshman Gavin Connell, who placed 250th in a personal-best 28:16. Other counting scores for the Trojans were Abdiaziz Wako (280th in 28:41), Sam Pedelty (289th in a personal-best 28:46), Daniel Hennigar (291st in 28:47) and Grant Dieken (310th in 29:10).

Also for the Trojans, Zane Miller was 324th in a personal-best 29:32 and Isaac Branstad was 373rd in 30:34.

NIACC returns to action at home on Oct. 12 in the second annual Trent Smith Invitational on the NIACC campus.

USTFCCA NJCAA Division I men’s poll

1. Central Arizona; 2. Iowa Central; 3. South Plains College; 4. Cloud County CC; 5. El Paso CC; 6. Colby CC; 7. Allen CC; 8. Paradise Valley CC; 9. Louisburg College; 10. Hutchinson CC; 11. Ranger College; 12. Cowley CC, 13. College of Southern Idaho; 14. Mesa CC; 15. Trinidad State JC; 16. Hawkeye CC; 17. Lansing CC; 18. Highland CC (Kan.); 19. Indian Hills CC; 20. Pima CC; 21. Waubonsee CC; 22. Grand Rapids CC; 22. NIACC; 22. Mott CC; 25. Monroe College.