NIACC men claim Indian Hills Invite title

OTTUMWA - The NIACC men's cross country team claimed the Indian Hills Invitational title Friday afternoon at the Cedar Creek Golf Course.

The No. 20 (NJCAA Division II) Trojans, under first-year coach Steven Story, gave their coach his first team title as a head coach with 76 points. No. 22 State Fair CC was second with 81 points.

No. 23 Hawkeye CC and No. 19 Southeastern tied for third with 91 points. Host Indian Hills was sixth with 126 points.

NIACC was led by freshman Bryson Canton, who placed fifth in a time of 26 minutes, 54 seconds in the 8-kilometer race. Graceland University's Dillon Grover was the individual champion in 24:24.

NIACC's Alfred Kiptoo was ninth in a personal-best 27:16 and Breyden Christensen was 11th in a career-best 27:20. Jacob Vais was 28th in a career-best 28:27 and Jackson Chambers was 29th (personal-best 28:30).

Also for the Trojans, Vlad Starrett was 48th (30:11) and Kason Judisch was 55th (personal-best 31:22).

Friday's meet was a preview of the upcoming NJCAA Region XI Division II race on Oct.30 in Fort Dodge. NIACC, Hawkeye CC, Southeastern, Southwestern and Scott CC were all at Friday's Indian Hills meet and will also compete in the Division II regional race.

The Trojans will be seeking their third straight NJCAA Region XI Division II title.

Team standings - NIACC 76, State Fair CC 81, Hawkeye CC 91, Southeastern 91, Graceland University 110, Indian Hills 126, Iowa Wesleyan 157, Southwestern 204, Scott CC 210, Faith Baptist 238.