The 2016 cross country season kicked off for the Southwestern Spartans this past Saturday as the team competed at the Region XI Time Trial hosted by North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City against all ICCAC institutions which offer cross country as a sport.

Racing under overcast skies in seventy degree weather, the Spartan men's team placed fifth of seven teams. Leading the way for the team was sophomore Nate Hoyt (Shenandoah) with a 21st place finish in the 5,000m run with a time of 17:41. Jacob Bolinger (Clearfield) ran 17:55 for a 28th place finish. Rounding out the scoring for the men was a cadre of freshmen in Jalen Two Leggins (Crow Agency, MT), Kevin Dietrich (Port Neches, TX), and Dylan Lucas (Sidney).

The Spartan Ladies ran as an incomplete team, and did not compile a team score for the race. Freshman Alyssa Proffitt (Afton) paced the team, as she finished 21st with a time of 23:00 for the 5,000m race. Freshman Madison Mace (Griswold) finished 42nd in a time of 26:25, and freshman Odette Muziranenge (West Des Moines) placed 47th with her 32:50 effort.

"When we look back at where we started at this point last year, our program has taken a tremendous positive step forward." Coach Ekel continued, "At this meet last season, our men's team top five runners averaged 19:24 for the 5,000m race, and today they averaged 18:50. Our women's athletes showed tremendous progress as well, running faster here today than last year."

The Spartans will race on the campus of Graceland University in Lamoni this Friday at the Yellowjacket Invitational. The women's 4,000m race begins at 5 p.m. while the men's 6,000m race starts at 5:45 p.m. Follow Spartan track & field and cross country on Twitter at @SWCC_Track_XC.