THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country teams begin postseason competition with the B1G Championships this Friday. The Hawkeyes return to Ann Arbor and a course they competed at during the Big Ten Preview in September. The event is hosted by the University of Michigan and will be held at the U-M Golf Course. The women’s 6,000-meter race begins at 9:45 a.m. CT, while the men’s 8,000-meter race kicks off at 10:45 a.m. Live results will be found at PT Timing.
THE COURSE
The cross country course follows the University of Michigan golf course’s rolling terrain, traversing nearly all of the 18 holes at some point. The races begin on the fairway of the first hole and are highlighted by a climb up the 10th fairway that is negotiated twice by the women, and three times by the men. After the out-and-back first mile on the east side of the course, the women and men negotiate the main 1.5 mile loop once and twice respectively before finishing on the final one mile loop. The women’s 6,000-meter and men’s 8,000-meter races conclude between the first and ninth holes.
IN THE RANKINGS
The University of Iowa men’s cross country team is ranked No. 12 in the latest USTFCCCA Midwest Region poll. The Hawkeyes are the second-highest ranked Big Ten team in the Midwest top 15, with Illinois ranked No. 7. Minnesota is the only other Big Ten team ranked in the region, coming in at No. 15. Seven additional Big Ten teams are ranked in their respective regions, including Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin.
The University of Iowa women’s cross country team moved up one spot and is now ranked No. 13 in the latest USTFCCCA Midwest Region poll. The Hawkeyes join Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern in the top 15. Iowa is one of 12 Big Ten teams ranked in their respective regions including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin.
LAST TIME OUT…
University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country closed their regular season Friday afternoon at the Illini Open. Freshman Ana Barroso paced the women’s 5,000-meter race for Iowa, while freshman Carson Houg led the Hawkeye men in the 8,000-meter event.
The women’s 5,000-meter race kicked off the afternoon in Champaign, with Barroso clocking a top 10 overall finish (18:37.5). Sophomore Kaitlin Knape (19:26.9) and freshman Aleah Tenpas (19:34.6) finished in the top 30 overall with their performances. Junior Bryce Gidel (20:49.4) and sophomore Sam Strauss (21:25.3) rounded out the top five for Iowa. Iowa finished in sixth place as a team, earning 125 points, an average of 19:58, and a spread of 2:47. Wisconsin won the team title with 17 points.
In the men’s 8,000-meter race, freshman Carson Houg led the Hawkeyes with a top 15 finish and personal best of 25:49.4. Fellow freshman Isaac Hartman crossed the line in 28:02.5 in the regular season finale.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following this week’s Big Ten Championship, the NCAA Midwest Regional will take place on Nov. 11 back in Columbia, Missouri. The 2022 NCAA Cross Country Championships will be back at the OSU Cross Country Course in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Teams and student-athletes that advance past the Midwest Regional will compete at the 2022 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
NEXT UP FOR THE HAWKEYES
The Hawkeyes prepare for the NCAA Midwest Regional in Columbia, Missouri on November 11.
LINK UP WITH THE HAWKEYES
For an inside look at the Iowa cross country program and to access exclusive coverage, follow the University of Iowa Cross Country and Track & Field team on Facebook, Twitter (@IowaXC_TF) and Instagram (@iowaxctf). Follow live results at hawkeyesports.com/tracklive.