Ottumwa, IA – The Indian Hills Men's and Women's Cross Country programs jumped out to a strong start to begin the 2021 year and have been rewarded for their efforts. Both teams received the highest rankings in program history, announced by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Wednesday.

After both teams competed at the Dutch Invitational in Pella, IA on Friday, the Warriors entered the Week 1 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI rankings. The women came in at No. 9 this week while the men earned a No. 6 national ranking. The men are coming off a seventh-place finish at the 2020 national championship.

Freshman Emily Casterline (Pella, IA/Belvidere) this week's NJCAA and Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) DI Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week, paced the Warriors on Friday with a time of 20:38.1 at the Dutch Invite. On the men's side, returning All-American Nick O'Connor (Tiffin, IA/Clear Creek Amana) led the way with a fifth-place overall finish in the 6k event with a time of 20:17.3 as the team finished second overall.

The Warriors compete at the Les Duke Invitational in Grinnell, IA on Sept. 11.