Photo courtesy of Iowa Central The Iowa Central women's cross country team hoists their NJCAA Div. I national runner-up trophy in Richmond, Va.

RICHMOND, Va. – The Iowa Central women’s cross country team knew they had a chance.

The third-ranked Tritons delivered down the stretch at the 2024 NJCAA Div. I championships here on Saturday, securing a national runner-up finish.

Yididiya Bifa placed third in the individual standings for the Tritons, who were behind only winner Salt Lake College. SLC had 55 points, with Iowa Central (105) edging New Mexico (109) for silver.

“Our women were ranked third going into the meet, but we had to believe we had a chance to win,” veteran ICCC head coach Dee Brown said. “That’s the way we are built. We studied the teams ahead of us and behind us, and had a solid plan going into the race.

“Our women are incredibly talented and deep. They are very interchangeable as well, as we have had four different (individuals) earn athlete of the year honors from the ICCAC for leading our team.”

The Tritons had to fight their way past New Mexico late in the women’s race – first strategically, then physically.

“The women executed well,” Brown said. “We were in third as a team almost the entire way through four kilometers. In the last kilometers, each one of them dug deep and passed two or three people to propel us.

“Yididiya was with the lead pack the entire way, and she had an amazing kick to finish third. We are very proud of each one of those seven ladies that came through for us.”

Bifa (17:23.4) was followed by the pack of teammates Maude Lambotte (22nd, 18:03.9); Marie Garret (23rd, 18:09.6); Abbi Hutchinson (18:11.8); and Imane Jourji (18:31.5).

The short-handed Iowa Central men were 19th overall. The Tritons were competing without their 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 regulars.

“Our men’s team was riddled with injuries this year,” Brown said. “If we had been (at full strength), we could have run a comfortable fifth or sixth place overall (nationally), if not better.

“However, the men that did run took advantage of their opportunities. We had a couple of personal bests to close out careers at Iowa Central, so I would still say we ended on a high note.”

Yasser Soualah was 45th to lead Iowa Central (25:15.6). Chase Deiter (103rd, 26:35.8) and Evan Paplow (110th, 26:40.4) were just outside the Top-100 individually.

The Tritons are back in action at the NJCAA Half-Marathon race here on Tuesday. Iowa Central will host both national meets at Lakeside Golf Course next November.