THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men's and women's cross country teams compete at the 2017 Big Ten Championships in Bloomington, Indiana on Sunday. The men's 8,000 meters begins at 9:45 a.m. (CT) followed by the women's 6,000 meters at 10:45 a.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Results are posted on the Iowa cross country Twitter account: @Iowa XC_TF and online at hawkeyesports.com. The 2017 Big Ten Championships will air on BTN on a tape delay on Monday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. (CT).
HAWKEYES RANKED 5TH IN MIDWEST REGION
The University of Iowa men's cross country team is ranked fifth in the Midwest Region, jumping up one spot in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll. It ties the men's highest ranking in program history.
TWICE AS NICE
A week after besting five regionally ranked opponents at the Joe Piane Invitational, the Hawkeye men won the Bradley Pink Classic, defeating three more regionally ranked midwest teams (No. 3 Missouri, No. 9 Kansas State, and No. 14 Illinois). This marks Iowa's second team win of the season. The Hawkeye previously took home the team title at the Woody Greeno Invitational on Sept. 29.Nathan Mylenek won his second 8,000 meter race of the season with a personal-best time of 24:26.2
SCOUTING THE BIG TEN
The Hawkeye men square off against four nationally ranked opponents, including Michigan (13), Michigan State (15), Minnesota (18), and Penn State (30). The women go toe-to-toe with six nationally ranking opponents, including Penn State (9), Michigan (10), Wisconsin (17), Minnesota (19), Michigan State (20), and Indiana (29).
8K NOTABLES
The Hawkeye men are running in their second 8,000 meter race of the season. Sophomore Nathan Mylenek boats the fastest personal-best time of the team with a time of 24:26.2, set at the 2017 Bradley Pink Classic.
6K NOTABLES
The 2017 Big Ten Championships marks the third 6,000-meter race for the Hawkeye women. They finished third in their previous 6K race at the Woody Greeno Invite and ninth at the Bradley Invite on Oct. 13. Sophomore Andrea Shine has finished runner-up in both 6K races this season, setting two personal bests. Her 20:47.3 at Bradley ranks ninth all-time.
MYLENEK CREATING A LEGACY
Sophomore Nathan Mylenek won two races during the regular season (Woody Greeno Invite and Bradley Pink Invite) and is the first Hawkeye to win multiple races since Jeff Thode in 2009.Mylenek also set three personal bests and entered Iowa's all-time top 10 list in the 6,000 meters.
SHINING INTO BIG TENS
Junior Andrea Shine enters the Big Ten Championships with two second-place finishes this season. The Crystal Lake, Illinois, native entered Iowa's all-time top 10 in the 4,000 meters (7th) and the 6,000 meters (9th).Shine was Iowa's no. 2 runner at last year's Big Ten Championships, running a 22:50.7 in the 6,000 meters.
WAYMIRE RETURNS TO BIG TENS
Senior Madison Waymire returns for her final Big Ten Cross Country Championships. Waymire has two top-10 finishes this season -- Hawkeye Invite (8th) and Woody Greeno Invite (7th). She was Iowa's No. 3 runner is 2016, recording a 23:09.7 (78).Waymire entered Iowa's top ten in the 4,000 meters at the Hawkeye Invitational, running 14:03 for eighth all-time.
NEXT UP FOR THE HAWKEYES
The Hawkeyes continue the postseason at the NCAA Regionals on Nov. 10 in Ames, Iowa.
LINK UP WITH THE HAWKEYES
For an inside look at the Iowa cross country program and to access exclusive coverage, "like" The University of Iowa Cross Country and Track & Field Facebook page and follow @Iowa XC T&F on Twitter.