November 11, 2016

NIACC cross country teams set to compete at national meet

EL DORADO, KAN. - The NIACC women's and men's cross country teams will compete in the NJCAA Division I national meete on Saturday.

The women's 5-kilometer race starts at 11 a.m. with the men's 8K race slated to start at noon at the Prairie Trails Golf Course. The national meet is hosted by Butler Community College.

The eighth-ranked NIACC men placed second at the NJCAA Region XI meet in Mason City on Oct. 29. Wal Khat led the Trojans with a second-place finish at regionals and Zach Freund placed 11th.

Earning honorable mention all-region honors for the Trojans were Jose Aguilera (15th), Blake Keller (16th), Colby Kraninger (19th), John Kraft (20th in 27:41), Samuel Dean (23rd) and Nick Frenz (25th).

At last year's national meet, the NIACC men placed 12th and placed in the top 15 for the eighth consecutive season. Imad Amenzou earned all-American honors for the Trojans with his 14th-place finish in 27 minutes, 3 seconds.

The NIACC women placed third at the 2016 regional meet on the Lady Trojans' home course. Kendra Schmidt led the Lady Trojans with a 13th place finish at regionals.

NIACC's Amy Fullerton, who was 23rd in 21:18, and Keisha Gonzague, who was 24th in a personal best 21:22, both earned honorable mention all-region honors.

At last year's national meet, the Lady Trojans placed 30th.

NIACC MEN'S TOP NATIONAL FINISHERS

The following is a list of NIACC men's cross country runners that have placed in the top 50 at the national meet:

11. Trent Smith (2011)

14. Imad Amenzou (2015)

16. Trent Smith (2012)

24. Jimmy Lanik (2005)

26. Sapolai Yao (2012)

30. Jonny Worley (2012)

32. Trey Simons (2014)

35. Dan Mayer (2007)

39. Zach Bales-Henry (2006)