9 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Iowa State Cross Country

Fresh off another Big 12 Championship for the women's team, and a second place conference finish for the men's team, we wanted to fill you in on some incredible facts about Iowa State Cross Country that you probably didn't know! Here are 9 of our favorites!

1. Iowa State had back-to-back individual NCAA champions in Men's Cross Country.

John Nuttall and Jonah Koech won back-to-back individual NCAA Championships for Iowa State. Nuttall in 1989 and Koech in 1990.

2. The women's team went unbeaten over three consecutive seasons, winning three straight national championships.

The women's program has a history of dominance, owning the collegiate level of the sport from 1974-77.

3. The Iowa State Women's Cross Country Team has won five of the last six Big 12 Team Championships.

Liz Parke

Taking the hardware home in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016 has helped create a winning culture for cross country in Ames.

4. The Men's and Women's Programs have combined for 26 conference titles (and counting).

The 13 conference championships from each program keep our trophy cases growing.

5. Iowa State Cross Country Teams have won seven combined team national titles.

Iowa State Cross Country has trophies for 7 team National Championships. 5 for the Women's team and 2 for the Men's.

6. Thomas Pollard won the 2016 USA Track and Field Junior Cross Country Championships.

Liz Parke

Redshirt Freshman Thomas Pollard took 1st at the USATF Junior Cross Country Championships prior to this season, and looks to have a big career as a Cyclone!

7. The first Cyclone woman to win an individual national championship ran cross country.

Peg Neppel-Darrah was the first woman athlete at Iowa State to win a national championship, taking 1st place in 1974.

8. The 1989 national championship team set the ninth-best team score in the past 50 years.

The 1989 National Championship team recorded the 9th best team score at the National Championship, 54, in the past 50 years of collegiate competition.

9. Both squads compete this Friday, November 11, In Iowa City at the NCAA Championships Midwest Regional.

Liz Parke

Make sure to follow @cycloneath and @cycloneTrackXc on twitter for all of the info as the Cyclones prepare to add to the legacy of Iowa State Cross Country!