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Iowa Central's cross country program has become a model of consistency under Dee Brown.
Last fall, the Triton men claimed a national title in blizzard-like conditions at Lakeside Golf Course and Kennedy Park, placing four runners in the Top-20 overall.
Now the task of defending that championship falls to a new group of runners, as the Top-7 individuals from a year ago have all moved on.
Brown will lean on the likes of returning runners Liam Shannon – a St. Edmond graduate – as well as John Ferguson and Brennan Boden. Newcomers Teshager Kassa, Collins Kibet, Lee-Hanro Arendse and Beyon Prins will also be in the mix.
"This will be a rebuilding year," Brown said. "We have great leadership in our three sophomores and it has already shown. This team has literally 'clicked' from day one.
"Regardless of any outcome, I guarantee we will have a lot of fun, as these guys really enjoy each other's company."
For the Iowa Central women, All-American Hafsa Oukadou was expected to be the top returnee, but offseason surgery has put her on the sidelines for the time being. Fellow sophomore Kylie Melchi is back, as Brown points to Zosia Zdobylak, Maddie Maclean, Yasmine Zekri, Meriem Mehenni and Blanca Lopez as top newcomers.
"We have a very strong group of newcomers that give us great depth," Brown said. "If we can stay healthy, I have no doubt we have a team that can be Top-3 in the nation this year.
"It will be exciting to see how they progress."
Brian Kirwa and Dari Cook from Fort Dodge Senior High, along with St. Edmond grad Anthony Valles, are also on the roster. Kirwa and Cook will compete at the half-marathon only this fall after exhausting their cross country eligibility.
"For both men and women, the majority of our new international athletes have very limited or no prior cross country running experience," Brown said. "It is a transition and learning process for them, as some will adapt more quickly than others."
Brown will be assisted by Mark Bennett.
2026 IOWA CENTRAL CROSS COUNTRY
Men
Roster
Sophomores – Brennan Boden, Tri-Center; Johnathon Ferguson, Cedar Falls; Waylon Hall, Illinois; Tyler Mager, Minnesota; Liam Shannon, St. Edmond.
Freshmen – Lee-Hanro Arendse, Africa; Teshager Kassa, Israel; Collins Kibet, Kenya; Dane Paulsen, Pella; Beyon Prins, South Africa; Felix Reyes, Eagle Grove; Nathan Rodriguez, Spencer; Anthony Valles, St. Edmond
Women
Roster
Sophomores – Allecia Johnston, Jamaica; Kylie Melchi, Illinois; Hafsa Oukadou, Morocco.
Freshmen – Joy Kapoiyo, Kenya; Maddison Maclean, New Zealand; Meriem Mehenni, Algeria; Ava Minnehan, Paton-Churdan; Yuri Vilchis, Illinois; Zosia Zdobylak, Poland; Yasmine Zekri, Algeria; Brynn Zeller, Minnesota.
Schedule
Sept. 4 – at Cyclone Preview in Ames; 19 – at Greeno/Dirksen Invitational in Lincoln, Neb.
Oct. 3 – at Chili Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, Ark.; 9 – at Indian Hills Invitational; 16 – at Bradley Pink Invitational in Peoria, Ill.; 30 – at Region 11 Championships in West Burlington.
Nov. 14 – at NJCAA Championships in Huntsville, Ala.; 17 – at NJCAA Half-Marathon Championships in Huntsville, Ala.