This year, the Tritons raised $4,000 to donate to UnityPoint Health — Norma Schmoker Cancer Center through fundraising efforts. They have done this each year since the start of the 2007-2008 season.

“The past two years have been our largest donations ever,” said Brown, director of cross country and track and field at Iowa Central. “It is very heartwarming to know that this money is going to such a great cause and great people.”

Runners and team members for the program raised proceeds by hosting the Firecracker 5K in Webster City this past July while also selling “Race to Erase Breast Cancer” T-shirts during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“Our athletes came up with five different T-shirt designs this year and we voted on the winner. Nearly the entire team participated in selling shirts,” Brown said. “In total, our athletes sold over 300 shirts — the most ever.”

The donation went to the Norma Schmoker Cancer Center, which is an approved cancer program concerned with prevention, early diagnosis, pretreatment evaluation, staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, and end-of-life care.

“From my perspective, it is enjoyable to see our team give back to our community in such an important way,” Brown said. “Our athletics experience is so much more than just participating in sports.

“This is a great example of activities we are involved in to help create better students and leaders for the future.”