NIACC set to compete in regional meet on Sunday

NIACC sophomore John Kraft runs at the Trent Smith Invitational on Oct. 13. Kraft was an honorable mention all-region runner in 2016.

October 27, 2017

FORT DODGE - The No. 12 NIACC men's cross country team 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.

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).

Women's 5K course record - Iowa Central's Leanne Pompeani 17:21 (2015).

Men's 8K regional record - Iowa Central's Elisha Kipruto 24:20 (2014 in Emmetsburg).

Men's 8K course record - Gilbert Kigen (Central Arizona) 23:55 (2015).