WEST SALEM, WI – The No. 2 NJCAA ranked Iowa Central Tritons men's cross country competed in a 28-team race hosted by the #5 ranked NCAA Division III, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The Tritons jumped out to an early six-point lead by 3 kilometers over the host school (35-41).  The Tritons had four of the top 5 positions with Zander Cobb, Aye Devany and Aspel Kiprob leading the pack through 3k at 9:29. By 5 kilometers, La Crosse quickly turned the tables in their favor (34-51); however, Kiprob was still battling for the lead with a time of 15:38 at the split.  Housem Hrabi and Devany were still among the top-5 at this point with Cobb dropping to 12^th.  At approximately four miles, Hrabi dropped out with calf tightness while leading the chase pack.  Kiprob held on for the victory in an 8km time of 24:25, just nine seconds slower than his winning time from 2021. Despite Hrabi not finishing, the Tritons only lost to La Crosse by a score of 42-49 thanks in part to an amazing last 3-kilometer push by sophomore Yared Kidane.  Kidane moved up twelve places over the last two miles to finish fourth overall for the Tritons in a time of 24:47, over 30 seconds faster than his time from last year. Cobb was third for Iowa Central in ninth place at 24:53, followed closely by Devany in 12^th out of 424 finishers with a time of 25:07. Will Sacay (23^rd/ 25:37) and Brady Hogan (27^th / 25:42) completed the scoring for the men.

 "This was a great close to the regular season, a final tune-up for our Tritons.  Our varsity packed it up and raced together like they need to do at nationals.  What was even more exciting was to see most of our team run just a few seconds slower than they had two weeks ago on a flat, fast course in warmer conditions at Arkansas. It was about 50 degrees in the sun and after that first 2km, the course was rolling hills.  In addition, most of our junior varsity guys equaled or ran personal bests today.  That is exactly what we were looking for as their season winds down," said Head Coach Dee Brown.

 The women ran only two athletes in the 6-kilometer race. Chloe Garcia Grafing led the charge with a 17^th place finish in a time of 22:59.9 while Kenzie Kaperka finished in 316^th of 364 runners with a personal best time of 28:33.3. 

 "This was a confidence builder for Chloe who was unable to run two weeks ago in Arkansas due to an injury. It was exciting to see Kenzie run a 30-second personal best from last year," said Brown.

 The Tritons host the ICCAC Region XI Championships on Sunday, October 30^th at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge, IA.  The women are undefeated at the Region XI Championships having won 18 in a row. The men have won the past nine in a row and have won all 15 championships they have competed in.