NIACC men ranked 8th, women ranked 21st heading into nationals

MASON CITY - The NIACC men's cross country team is ranked No. 8 and the NIACC women are ranked No. 21 in the final USTFCCCA rankings of the season.

Both teams moved up a spot as the NIACC men were ninth in the poll after the regional meet on Oct. 29 and the NIACC women were No. 22.

The NJCAA national meet is set for Saturday in El Dorado, Kan. The women's race starts at 11 a.m. with the men's race slated to start at noon.

The 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).

Iowa Central is ranked No. 1 and Iowa Western is ranked No. 20.

At last year's national meet, the NIACC men placed 12th and placed in the top 15 for the eighth consecutive season.

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

Iowa Central is ranked No. 1 and Iowa Western is No. 15 in the women's rankings.

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