The annual Region XI Time Trial was hosted by Indian Hills on Friday, August 2. The Tritons typically hold out some of their top varsity runners allowing their younger runners to step up in this first competition of the season.  In addition, the Tritons adhere to a very specific race plan which results in much slower overall times for their athletes.  Despite sitting 11 men and four women both squads finished in second place to Iowa Western in the team standings. The women were only two points out of first place.

"Our teams ran in packs, learned to communicate and work together. We are working on teaching them how to pace themselves better. They moved up throughout the race and finished very well," said Dee Brown the Director of Cross Country/Track and Field for Iowa Central.

In the men's race, the team was paced by freshman, Noah Friske, of Rockford East High School (IL). Friske finished in 10^th overall with a time of 17:02 for the 5km course. Friske was followed by freshman, Jordan Hustak of Missouri Valley in 14^th, sophomore Will Whalen of Dubuque Senior in 15^th and Andrew Wilson of Hononegah (IL) in 16^th.  Rounding out the scoring for the men in 25^th place was Darius Brown of St. Paul Central (MN).

The women were led by the freshman duo of Rosalie Fish of the Muckleshoot Tribal School (WA) and Lilia Alvarez of Omaha South (NE). Fish and Alvarez finished in second and third in 20:01 and 20:32 over the 5km course.  Sophomore MacKenzie Gaherty of Dubuque Senior finished in 8^th followed by Janet Nyamboneka of Iowa City High in 12^th. Bree Johnson of Sterling (IL) completed the team scoring with a 26th place finish among the 42 competitors.

The Tritons will compete next on Friday, August 30 at the Mustang Gallop hosted by Mount Mercy University at Seminole Valley Park in Cedar Rapids. The women's 4km race is at 6:00 pm followed by the men's 5km race at 6:30 pm.