THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country teams continue postseason competition with the NCAA Midwest Regional this Friday. The Hawkeyes return to Columbia, Missouri and a course they competed at during the Gans Creek Classic in September. Senior Emma Gordon looks to lead the Hawkeye women at Gans Creek, a course she set a personal best on earlier this year. Junior Nick Trattner, Iowa’s top finisher in three of his last four races, will highlight the men’s team. The event is hosted by the University of Missouri and will be held at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course. The women’s 6,000-meter race begins at 11 a.m. CT, while the men’s 10,000-meter race kicks off at 12:00 p.m. Live results will be found at PT Timing.
THE COURSE
The home of the Mizzou men’s and women’s cross country teams, the Gans Creek Cross Country Course opened on September 27, 2019 with the Gans Creek Classic. Located on the south side of Columbia, the 320-acre park is a state-of-the-art facility which will help attract state, regional and national meets to the area. The course was the host of the 2021 SEC Championships. It features a 500-meter starting chute, irrigated 10-meter wide grass surface, and a permanent start/finish line.
IN THE RANKINGS
The University of Iowa men’s cross country team is ranked No. 11 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. 10. 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 is ranked No. 13 in the latest USTFCCCA Midwest Region poll. The Hawkeyes join Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern in the top 15. All Big Ten teams are ranked within their respective regions.
LAST TIME OUT…
University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country returned to the U-M Golf Course to compete at the Big Ten Championships on Oct. 28. Senior Emma Gordon led the Hawkeye women, while junior Nick Trattner paced the Hawkeye men. The women’s 6,000-meter race kicked off the event in Ann Arbor, as Gordon finished first for the Hawkeyes in 21:38.7. Sophomores Brooke McKee and Kelli Tosic finished next for Iowa, crossing the line in 22:01.3 and 22:13.1, respectively. Senior Maddie Block (22:17.2) and sophomore Amber Aesoph (22:31.2) rounded out the top five for Iowa. The women finished 14th as a team, earning 402 points, an average time of 22:08.3 and a spread of 2:03.
The men’s 8,000-meter race followed with Trattner pacing the Hawkeyes with a time of 24:54.6 and a 29th-place finish. Freshman Max Murphy also finished in the top 40, clocking a time of 24:58.8. Senior Konnor Sommer earned a top five Hawkeye finish for the third time this season, crossing the line in 25:21.7. Sophomore Jack Pendergast (25:35.6) and freshman Miles Sheppard (25:36.7) wrapped up the scoring for the team. The Iowa men finished seventh out of 12, earning 225 points and an average time of 25:17.5.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following this week’s NCAA Midwest Regional 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.
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.