THIS WEEK
University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country heads to Peoria, Illinois, for the NCAA Midwest Regional on Nov. 15. Bradley University will host the event at the Newman Golf Course. The women’s 6,000-meter race begins at 11 a.m. (CT), with the men’s 10,000-meter to follow at 12 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country opened postseason competition on Nov. 1 at the Big Ten Championships at the Blue and Orange Golf Course in Champaign, Illinois. The men placed 13th overall with 370 points, while the women finished 16th with 479 points.
WOMEN’S TOP RUNNERS
Miriam Sandeen is the leading runner for Iowa in the 2024 regular season. The senior from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has been Iowa’s top finisher in the Hawkeye Invite, Big Ten Preview, Bradley Pink Classic and B1G Championships. Freshman Elena Torres finished as Iowa’s top runner at the Gans Creek Classic. Senior Amber Aesoph and junior Rowan Boulter combined to score for all of Iowa’s 2024 regular season races.
MEN’S TOP RUNNERS
Juniors Will Ryan, Miles Sheppard, Brayden Burnett, and Carson Houg have been Iowa’s point scorers this season. Ryan was named to the Big Ten’s Preseason Watch List. Sophomore Miles Wilson has been a consistent top-five runner for Iowa in every meet for the 2024 season.
LAST TIME HERE
The Hawkeyes had a previous look at the Newman Golf Course at the Bradley Pink Classic on Oct. 18. The men placed third overall with 165 points in the 8,000-meter race led by Brayden Burnett in 29th (24:20.5). Miles Wilson, Carson Houg, Will Ryan and Ethan Eichhorn rounded out Iowa’s top five. The women’s team finished tenth with 275 points in the 6,000-meter race. Miriam Sandeen paced the Hawkeyes, finishing in 30th place (21:05.6) followed by Amber Aesoph, Elena Torres, Jalyssa Blazek and Rowan Boutler.
HAWKEYE NEWCOMERS
Iowa’s freshman class has made a significant impact this season. On the women’s side, Elena Torres has been recognized twice as Big Ten Freshman of the Week, earning the honor for her performances at the Big Ten Preview and Gans Creek Classic. She was also named Iowa’s September Woman Athlete of the Month. Additionally, Marissa Long and Hillary Trainor have consistently placed among Iowa’s top five runners in the team’s first two races. The men’s team has also seen strong performances from its freshmen. Kyle Montgomery and Ethan Eichhorn have been key contributors, finishing among Iowa’s top five at multiple meets. Montgomery excelled at the Hawkeye Invite, Gans Creek Classic, and Bradley Pink Classic, while Eichhorn secured top-five finishes at the Hawkeye Invite, Big Ten Preview, and Bradley Pink Classic.
LOCAL FOCUS
Of the 31 athletes on the Hawkeyes’ cross country team, 23 hail from the state of Iowa. Ian Geisler, Cameron Kalaway and Audra Soderlind come to the Hawkeye State from Illinois. Two Hawkeyes Marissa Long and Miriam Sandeen are Minnesota natives. Armaan Chopra (Virginia), Kyle Montgomery (Indiana) and Elena Torres (Colorado) represent their respective states in 2024.
FAST START
The University of Iowa cross country team kicked off its 2024 season at the Hawkeye Invite at the Ashton Cross Country Course. The women took second with 39 points in the 4,000-meter race and the men got third with 79 points in the 6,000-meter race. The women finished the evening with three top-10 finishes. Senior Miriam Sandeen and junior Rowan Boutler both set personal records at 14:20.4 and 14:41.5, respectively.
NEXT UP FOR THE HAWKEYES
Pending qualification, the Hawkeyes will head to the NCAA Championships in Madison, Wisconsin, on Nov. 23.
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 the Hawkeyes on X (@IowaXC_TF) and Instagram (@iowaxctf). Follow live results at hawkeyesports.com/tracklive.