Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2017-18 | Hawk Talk Monthly — November 2017 | Cross Country Notebook: NCAA Regional
THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country teams continue their postseason at the 2017 NCAA Midwest Regional in Ames, Iowa, on the ISU Cross Country Course. The women’s 6,000-meters will begin at 10:45 a.m. (CT) followed by the men’s 10,000-meters at 11:45 a.m. Admission is free.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Results are posted on the Iowa cross country Twitter account: @Iowa XC_TF and online at hawkeyesports.com.
REGIONAL RANKINGS
- The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) releases its weekly regional rankings and the Iowa men and women are No. 8 and No. 14, respectively, in the midwest region.
QUALIFYING FOR THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- There are 31 team spots up for grabs around the country with the top two teams in each region claiming automatic bids for the NCAA Championships. Thirteen team bids are at-large and are selected based upon a review of the team’s regular season competitions and finish at the regional and conference competitions.
- For those not selected as part of a team, 38 individuals per gender will be selected (top four per region) as long as the individual has placed in the top 25 of the region. In addition, two athletes will be selected as at-large bids, but still have to finish in the top 25 of the region.
2017 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
- The Iowa men and women competed at the 2017 Big Ten Championships in Bloomington, Indiana, on Oct. 29. The men finished 10th with 235 points and the women placed 11th with 303 points.
- Individually, the men improved a total of 247 spots after six of Iowa’s runners improved on their finish in 2016. Sophomore Nathan Mylenek recorded the biggest jump, placing 69 spots better, going from 97th to a team-leading 28th place.
- The women had four student-athletes improve from a year ago, led by junior Andrea Shine, who led the team in 29th place — her fifth time finishing as Iowa’s No. 1 runner this season.
NCAA REGIONAL EXPERIENCE
- The Hawkeyes have a total of nine student-athletes with NCAA Regional experience.
- Senior Marta Gonzalez leads the women with three regional races under her belt, followed by senior Madison Waymire (2), Andrea Shine (2), and junior Lauren Opatrny (1).
- Five different men have raced in the NCAA Midwest Regional. Junior Ian Eklin has ran in two regionals, following by junior Daniel Gardarsson, junior Bailey Hesse-Withbroe, senior Daniel Murphy, and senior Dan Soto with one.
10K NOTABLES
- The men will compete in their first 10,000 meter race of the season at the NCAA Midwest Regional. Junior Ian Eklin led Iowa at last year’s regional meet, finishing 62nd with a time of 31:33.6.
6K NOTABLES
- The 2017 NCAA Midwest Regional marks the fourth 6,000-meter race for the Hawkeye women. They finished 11th in their previous 6K race at the Big Ten Championships. Sophomore Andrea Shine has finished runner-up in two 6K races this season, setting two personal bests. Her 20:47.3 at the Bradley “Pink” Classic ranks ninth all-time.
MYLENEK CREATING A LEGACY
- Sophomore Nathan Mylenek won two races during the regular season (Woody Greeno Invite and Bradley Pink Invite) and is the first Hawkeye to win multiple races since Jeff Thode in 2009.
- Mylenek also set three personal bests and entered Iowa’s all-time top 10 list in the 6,000 meters.
SHINING THIS SEASON
- Junior Andrea Shine is looking to become the third straight Hawkeye to lead the team in every race during a season. She would join senior Madison Waymire (2015) and recently graduated Tess Wilberding (2016).
NEXT UP FOR THE HAWKEYES
Select Hawkeyes can qualify for the NCAA Cross Country National Championships in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 18. The women’s 6,000-meters will begin at 9:45 a.m. (CT) and the men’s 10,000-meter race starts at 10:45 a.m.
LINK UP WITH THE HAWKEYES
For an inside look at the Iowa cross country program and to access exclusive coverage, “like” The University of Iowa Cross Country and Track & Field Facebook page and follow @Iowa XC T&F on Twitter.
