<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2C31sF_0wEfsKig00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2C31sF_0wEfsKig00" width="800" height="450" >Iona University men's cross country team finished 17th out of 32 at the 2024 Wisconsin Pre-Nationals, competing in the men's 8k A race. Junior Matt Rankin led the team with a 33rd-place finish, clocking 23:19.6 in a highly competitive field featuring ranked teams. Senior Lachlan Wellington followed in 45th, while sophomore Duncan Robinson debuted with a 58th-place finish. The Gaels outperformed several ranked teams, positioning themselves well ahead of notable matches. The next challenge is the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships on November 2.<ul><li>Iona finished 17th with a score of 473 points.</li><li>Matt Rankin's time of 23:19.6 was just 2 seconds shy of the top 30.</li></ul>Yes, ButWhile Iona's performance was commendable, it highlights the need for improvement to consistently match or exceed the competitive standards set by ranked teams. The challenge lies in converting strong individual outings into better overall team standings.State of Play<ul><li>Iona finished ahead of several ranked teams, including No. 13 Washington and No. 14 Michigan.</li><li>The race featured 24 teams either ranked or receiving votes in the USTFCCCA national poll.</li></ul>The Gaels will focus on the upcoming Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships, crucial for postseason qualifying and team morale. A strong performance here could shift their trajectory for the remainder of the season.Bottom LineIona's placement at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals sets a challenging benchmark as they prepare for postseason races. With potential still untapped, their upcoming performance in the MAAC Championships will be a key indicator of their readiness for future competitions.</div></body>

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Iona MXC Finishes 17th at 2024 Wisconsin Pre-Nationals

Iona University men's cross country team finished 17th out of 32 at the 2024 Wisconsin Pre-Nationals, competing in the men's 8k A race. Junior Matt Rankin led the team with a 33rd-place finish, clocking 23:19.6 in a highly competitive field featuring ranked teams. Senior Lachlan Wellington followed in 45th, while sophomore Duncan Robinson debuted with a 58th-place finish. The Gaels outperformed several ranked teams, positioning themselves well ahead of notable matches. The next challenge is the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships on November 2.