Knepp Moves to 7th in School History at NCAA Regional

AMES, Iowa – Fourth-year Luke Knepp ran a personal best and moved to seventh all-time at Iowa with a 30:25.7 in the 10,000-meter race at the NCAA Midwest Regional on Friday afternoon at the Iowa State Cross Country Course.
 
In the women’s 6,000-meter race, third-year Hillary Trainor ended her 2026 campaign as the first Hawkeye finisher, placing 76th with a time of 20:53.2. Following behind was fifth-year Miriam Sandeen at 98th in 21:13.1. Crossing the line next were third-years Elena Torres (21:15.9) and Julia Gehl (21:25.6), coming in 103rd and 111th, respectively. Freshman Avery Rump rounded out the scoring five in 21:54.0. Noella Ross capped her freshman season with a 22:11.5 personal best.

On the men’s side, Knepp posted his personal best and came in 73rd to lead the Hawkeyes. Second-year Owen Wolfe (30:36.0) and fifth-year Will Ryan (30:52.8) followed, finishing 94th and 100th, respectively. Fourth-year Miles Wilson crossed the line next, notching a time of 30:58.8. Completing the scoring for the Hawkeyes was second-year Elias Arbuckle, who recorded a lifetime best of 31:03.1. 

The men placed 17th out of 28 teams with 480 points, while the women took 20th out of 35 teams with 534 points in the season finale. 

As part of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, Iowa State added four points to its team total. Iowa currently leads the 2026-27 series, 7-4.

HEAR FROM COACH HASENBANK
“On the men's side, Luke (Knepp) led the squad. Owen Wolfe had a fantastic race today. To come out here, in his 10k debut, and run 30:46 is a great performance. The men's spread over 10,000 meters was only 38 seconds. The men ran well as a pack without our top runner and with Miles (Wilson) being a little banged up. He showed a lot of grit during the past two races with very little running over the past month. On the women's side, Hillary (Trainor) led the squad and wrapped up a great junior season. Miriam (Sandeen) and Elena (Torres) were also very consistent at the top of the lineup this fall. We ran well as a pack with only a 32 second gap between our top four runners. Julia Gehl had a great race, which was her best race as a Hawkeye by far, running a 30 second personal best. Freshman Avery Rump finished in the fifth spot today. She finished in our top five every race this season as a true freshman.”

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 6,000 Meters 
20th Place - 534 Points 
76. Hillary Trainor - 20:53.2
98. Miriam Sandeen - 21:13.1
103. Elena Torres - 21:15.9
111. Julia Gehl - 21:25.6
150. Avery Rump - 21:54.0
177. Noella Ross - 22:11.5, PR
183. Ella Magallan - 22:19.5 

Men’s 10,000 Meters
17th Place - 480 Points
73. Luke Knepp - 30:25.7, PR + 7th at Iowa
94. Owen Wolfe - 30:46.0
100. Will Ryan - 30:52.8
108. Miles Wilson - 30:58.8
115. Elias Arbuckle - 31:03.1, PR
119. Slader Buckheister - 31:10.7