By: Emilie Jenson
Public Information Coordinator
TALLAHASSEE FLA. - The Iowa Central Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams continue to bring home the hardware at the NJCAA National Cross-Country Championships at the Gulf Winds Track Club in Tallahassee.
The Tritons competed in the half marathon championships on Tuesday November 15, ending the day with three top-ten finishers in the women's division and All- American Aspel Kiprob defending his national championship for the men.
The Triton Women brought home the team national championship, now tied with El Paso Community College for the most national titles in history with six. Iowa Central also captured the Half-Marathon championship in 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
"The women were absolutely outstanding," said Dee Brown, Iowa Central head cross country coach. "Running side by side for 12 miles and slowly working their way up through the pack."
Leading the way for the women and earning All-American accolades for the Tritons were sophomores Chloe Garcia-Grafing, who finished in fourth with a time of 1:28:33; Zinash Valen in fifth with a time 1:29:03 and Taylor McCreedy in sixth with a time of 1:29:03. Also running for the Tritons were sophomore MacKenzie Kaperka who finished in 37th place with a time of 1:44:34 and sophomore Brook Haley in 50th with a time of 1:49:00
The Triton Men finished in third place overall with Kiprob in first with a time of 1:07:12. Kiprob came in from behind to finish strong and capture the title.
"Aspel was down by at least 50 meters with 1.5 miles to go," said Brown. "He had a great finish to defend his title
The men tied with New Mexico Community College for third but won the tie breaker with the Tritons fourth runner, Yared Kidane, finishing in 20th place, ahead of New Mexico's fourth runner.