NIACC cross country teams compete at nationals on Saturday
What's next: The NIACC men's and women's cross country teams return to action Saturday at the NJCAA national meet at the Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge. The 8-kilometer men's race starts at 11 a.m. with the 5K women's race starting at noon.
Last time out: The No. 14 NIACC women placed third at the NJCAA Region XI meet Nov. 1 in Fort Dodge with 74 points. Freshman Jessica Blumberg paced the Lady Trojans with a sixth-place finish in 20 minutes, 16 seconds on the 5-kilometer course.
The No. 21 NIACC men placed third with 71 points. Sophomore Imad Amenzou earned first-team all-region honors with a fourth-place finish in 26:06 on the 8K course.
2014 nationals: The NIACC men placed eighth at last year's national meet in Lubbock, Texas with 313 points to finish in the top 10 for the third time in the last four years. Trey Simons placed 32nd in a time of 26:14 to lead the Trojans. The NIACC women placed 13th with 398 points, which tied the highest women's finish in school history. Hannah Palmeter earned first-team all-American honors with a third-place finish in 17:51.
PERSONAL BESTS
NIACC WOMEN (5K)
Jessica Blumberg 19:18 (2015 Arkansas Chile Pepper); Alyssa Cowan 20:11 (2014 NJCAA national meet); Emerson Sears 20:25 (2015 Arkansas Chile Pepper); Kendra Schmidt 20:50 (2015 Arkansas Chile Pepper); Lattie Crozier 20:51 (2014 NJCAA national meet); Jordan Lane 21:58 (2015 Arkansas Chile Pepper); Taylor Glawe 23:08 (2015 Arkansas Chile Pepper); Emma Phipps 28:44 (2015 NJCAA Region XI meet).
NIACC MEN (8K)
Imad Amenzou 25:12 (2015 Arkansas Chile Pepper); Tyler Randall 26:59 (2014 St. Ambrose Invitational); Jacob Day 27:12 (2015 Buena Vista Invitational); Nick Frenz 28:14 (2015 Arkansas Chile Pepper); Jose Aguilera 29:15 (2015 Buena Vista Invitational); John Enright 28:59 (2015 Loras College Dr. Tucker Invitational); Lucas White 29:23 (2015 Buena Vista Invitational); Aaron Hardcastle 31:10 (2015 Loras College Dr. Tucker Invitational).
Next level: Former NIACC al-region performer Stephanie Faught, who prepped at Clear Lake, placed 26th at the Appalachian Athletic Conference meet in Knoxville, Tenn. in a time of 21:57 in the 5K race competing for Columbia College, which placed fourth in the team standings with 130 points.
How NIACC's fared at the NJCAA Championships
Women — 2005 (20th); 2007 (28th); 2008 (18th); 2009 (20th); 2010 (14th); 2011 (15th); 2012 (24th); 2013 (13th); 2014 (13th).
Men — 2004 (22nd); 2005 (11th); 2006 (12th); 2007 (21st); 2008 (13th); 2009 (11th); 2010 (14th); 2011 (4th); 2012 (5th); 2013 (15th); 2014 (8th).
