Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/871523
111 H eading into the 2017 season, the University of Iowa cross country team's mix of veterans and underclassmen gave the Hawkeyes a foundation to build upon. Head coach Randy Hasenbank's first season at the helm saw Iowa finish its season in the top half of the region on its home course at the 2016 NCAA Regional with the men placing 11th and the women 17th. Heading into year two, the Hawkeyes are better acquainted with Hasenbank's training style, and the results showed in Week 1. "We all know each other a lot better," Hasenbank said. "e student-athletes understand the training plan and we have now been able to implement our style. ey know what to expect and are well-prepared for a cross country season." at preparation led to a school record and three top 10 performances at the season opener Sept. 1. Junior Ian Eklin, who was Iowa's No. 2 runner at last year's regional, set a new school record in the 6,000 meters at the Hawkeye Invitational, finishing in 18:10.7. "I'm proud of getting the school record," Eklin said, "but I know that I could have ran faster, so it's bitter sweet." at "widen the gap" attitude is something Hasenbank has been instilling in his runners since 2016. He doesn't expect Iowa's point scorers to be the same every week. Instead, he said he's looking for a mentality where each runner approaches each race expecting to beat the others, no matter past results. And he expects it to start with those who enter the season with the most experience. "We're going to lean on our veterans," Hasenbank said. "We have people with experience at a high level. e freshmen and sophomores are going to do well and we expect them to do well, but we will always lean on our veterans." Iowa's veterans came through at the Hawkeye Invitational. Senior Madison Waymire, who was Iowa's top runner in every race two years ago, cracked the all-time top 10 in the 4,000 meters, finishing in 14:03.3. She was second among Hawkeyes to junior Andrea Shine, who moved into seventh place in the all-time top 10 with a mark of 13:58.7. "I felt pretty good," Shine said. "It was day to get out there and put in some good work and start the season off right. I'd like to keep improving every race and every meet from where I finished last season." On the men's side, Nathan Mylenek, who established himself as a sophomore veteran aer winning a silver medal at the Pan Am Games in Peru this summer, moved into fih place in the record book, finishing the 6,000 meters in 18:26.4. From Hasenbanks's perspective it was a competitive race, and just as important, Iowa came out healthy. From a competitor's standpoint, it was great to shake off the rust and see the benefits of a productive offseason. "I'm excited to get the season going," Eklin said. "I've been putting in more miles than I ever have. I've been training really hard and doing all the workouts without missing a day. I'm just really excited to get back to racing and get rolling." SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE Sept. 16 at Woody Greeno (Lincoln, Neb.) Sept. 29 at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.)