NIACC men tied for 17th in 3rd poll of season

NIACC's Jalen Petersen runs at the Trent Smith Invitational.

October 16, 2019

MASON CITY - The NIACC men's cross country team is tied for 17th in the third USTFCCCA NJCAA Division I poll released Wednesday.

Cloud County CC (Kansas) is ranked No. 1 in the men's poll and Iowa Central is ranked third. Iowa Western is ranked sixth and Hawkeye CC is 22nd.

NIACC placed fifth at the third annual Trent Smith Invitational on Friday on the NIACC campus. NIACC was led by freshman Jorge Ruiz, who was 13th in a time of 26 minutes, 41 seconds on the 8-kilometer course run in chilly conditions.

Other counting scores for the Trojans were Janvier Irakoze (31st in 27:31), Jalen Peterson (39th in 27:48), Aidan Bauermeister (47th in 28:00) and Dawson Schmidt (49th in 28:09).

NIACC returns to action Oct. 25 at the NJCAA Region XI meet in Ottumwa.

USTFCCCA NJCAA Division I poll (Oct. 16, 2019)

1. Cloud County CC (Kansas); 2. El Paso CC (Texas); 3. Iowa Central; 4. Central Arizona; 5. Southern Idaho; 6. Iowa Western; 7. Hutchinson CC (Kan.); 8. Trinidad State JC (Colorado); 9. Allen CC (Kan.),; 10. Colby CC (Kan.); 10. New Mexico JC; 12. Ranger (Texas); 13. Lansing CC (Mich.); 14. Paradise Valley CC (Ariz.); 15. Vincennes (Ind.); 16. Monroe (N.Y.); 17. Mesa CC (Ariz.); 17. NIACC; 19. Highland CC (Kan.); 20. Cleveland State CC (Tenn.); 21. Louisburg (N.C.); 22. Hawkeye CC; 22. Cowley (Kan.); 24. Seminole State (Fla.); 25. Daytona State.