RedTails Run Wild At NIAAC

MASON CITY–It was a cold, windy day last Friday, but that did not stop the men's cross country team from competing against rivals at the NIACC meet. The men's "Top 7" looked sharp running their first 8K of the year and gave themselves an idea of who would be competing come time for nationals. 

Currently ranked 17th in the nation, RedTail runners were looking to take down the 15th ranked NIACC Trojans. Sam Mickelson was the RedTails top finisher, followed by Johnny Smith and Payton Bahl. Those three, along with Brandon Conrad, Keegan Dally, Cody Samuelson and Ryan Moore are the runners who will be rounding out the top seven nationals contenders. 

Despite harsh weather conditions, coach Mulder was impressed with his teams performance. 

"Overall I was happy with how they all raced. The cold definitely played a factor as some of the sophomores who ran the same course last year were nearly a minute shy of what they ran last year," stated coach Mulder. "We're getting a good glimpse at who our top seven is going to be looking like come championship season for regionals and nationals." 

The men's team looks to run their last race as a full squad on October 25, as they travel to Indian Hills Community College. Coach Mulder has high expectations for the RedTails: "Next week we look to run our last race as a full squad and we're looking to set a lot of PRs."