Reivers Win Platte River Rumble
ASHLAND, Neb. - Iowa Western Men's and Women's Cross Country started the 2025 Year off at the Platte River Rumble – Gold on Friday, September 5th.
The field featured a handful of NCAA Division 1 regional schools, Kansas State, Nebraska, Creighton, South Dakota, and Omaha, plus a top D2 regional school in Northwest Missouri State, all attended the meet.
The Women started the competition off by racing a 5k. Freshman Juliana Sakat started right where she left off last spring, winning the event. The 7x National Track champion led from the start, dominating the field.
Following her was a tight pack of three Freshman Wijdane Inzaline, Freshman Mya Curtis, and Freshman Elizabeth Ewusie. Mya had a tremendous finish to set an all-time PR of 18:30.4. A close pack of two, Freshman Norah Sjerven and Sophomore Alyssa Kulesa, battled to finish out the scoring for Iowa Western. Finishing out the top 7 was Freshman Cordelia Gray.
"I was pleased with our effort today," said Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Marc Bierbaum. "Mya and Norah, in their first races as Reivers, finished well. We had some sickness go through the women's group, along with some ticky-tack injuries. I am excited about where we are as a team. This has the potential to be a good team."
The women sit 2nd in the NJCAA Preseason National Poll. Next up is Woody Greeno in Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 20th.
The Men were led by the consistent 1-2 punch of Sophomores Geofrey Ronoh and Barnabas Ndiwa, plus XC newcomer Sophomore Flynn Pumpa. Their 1st-2nd-6th place finish led the Reivers to the team Victory over Northwest Missouri State, Nebraska, Kansas State, Creighton, and South Dakota.
Finishing up scoring were Sophomore Victor Kemboi and Freshman Ali Benzem, finishing 19th and 24th. Freshman Pierre Carlier and Sophomore Magnus Herschbach rounded out the top 7 for the Reivers.
"This men's team is possibly the deepest team Iowa Western has ever put on the course," added Bierbaum. "I am excited to see us come together. The top 5 pack time was impressive, with 38 seconds separating Geofrey and Ali. We need to continue that throughout the year."
The men sit 1st in the NJCAA Preseason National Poll. Next up is Woody Greeno in Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 20th.