IOWA CITY, IA - The Iowa Central Community College Men's and Women's Cross Country teams kicked off their 21^st season at the Iowa Hawkeye Invitational. The women's team finished third of three scoring teams behind Bradley and host, University of Iowa.  The men's team finished fourth of five scoring teams behind champions, Bradley, then Iowa Western, and Iowa.  The Triton men  edged Illinois State by a score of 98 to 115.

The women were led by freshman, Yididiya Bifa with a sixth place finish and a time of 14:29.7 for the 4 kilometer race. Bifa's time is the fifth fastest in school history. Marie Garret finished in 23^rd with a time of 15:19 and the 12^th fastest time in school history. Immediately behind Garret were Juliette Gavois and Abbi Hutchinson in 24^th and 25^th places.  Maud Lambotte and Imane Jourji were close behind in 28^th and 29^th places. Natalie Bogdanova Kirilova rounded out the scoring for the Tritons in 35^th position.

Mohamed Dahmouch completed the 6 kilometer course in a time of 18:21.8 to finish sixth overall with the sixth fastest time in school history.  Hamza Mohamed and Brian Kirwa finished in 13^th and 15^th places respectively. Their times of 18:32 and 18:36 were the seventh and eighth fastest times in school history over 6 kilometers. Butler Community College transfer, Yasser Soualah was the fourth runner for Iowa Central in his debut with a time of 19:57 at 36^th place. The rest of the pack nearby with Evan Paplow (46^th), Ben Reyes (48^th), Rodney Maracle (49^th), and Chase Deiter (50^th).

"This was a solid start for both teams. We are much improved from last year and I am very excited to see where this season leads us," stated Director of Cross Country & Track and Field, Dee Brown.

The Tritons will be back in action next week at the Augustana Twilight Meet.