Ashland, NE – The Indian Hills Men's and Women's Cross Country squads are set to open the 2025 campaign with a trip to Mahoney State Park for the Platte River Rumble Gold meet.

DETAILS: Platte River Rumble Gold

Friday, September 5  |  Women's 5k – 6:00 PM  |  Men's 8k – 6:45 PM

Mahoney State Park  |  Ashland, NE

LIVE RESULTS: 2025 Platte River Rumble Gold

TICKETS: 2025 Platte River Rumble Gold (tickets are sold per car, and parking is included in the ticket price).

STARTING BOX

The Warriors are set to open up the 2025 campaign with plenty of momentum following a strong finish at the national championship to conclude last year's slate.

• Head coach Brent Ewing will lead a talented crop of newcomers, joined by returning national qualifiers Tiffani Koonce on the women's side and Bailey Taige on the men's side.
• The Warrior women are currently ranked No. 12 in the USTFCCCA preseason poll, the team's second-highest rank in program history.
• The Warrior men are ranked No. 13 in the preseason national rankings.
  • USTFCCCA Preseason Polls (Women)  |  USTFCCCA Preseason Polls (Men)
• The Warriors will make the trek to Ashland, NE for the second consecutive year. Both teams placed sixth overall last year, including a then-personal-best performance from Koonce.
• Sophomore Shmyhia Morris rounds out the sophomore leadership group on the women's side.

KOONCE, TAIG READY TO LEAD

Sophomores Tiffani Koonce and Bailey Taig return to the Warriors for their sophomore campaign after standout freshman seasons on the course.

• Both individuals bring back national championship experience to this year's roster after qualifying for last year's postseason event in Richmond, VA
• Koonce put together one of the most decorated individual freshman seasons in program history last year, running the third-fastest 5k time for the Warriors while earning NJCAA and ICCAC postseason honors.
• Taig surged towards the national championship last year, improving his 8k time by over a minute to place 10^th overall at the NJCAA Region 11 Championship and earn postseason honors.

EWING'S NOTES

"I've never had a men's or women's group that has entered the season this prepared," stated head coach Brent Ewing. "The entire team has been dominating their workouts over the last 3-4 weeks. It's been incredible to watch. I expect them to go into this meet with a lot of confidence because they've put the work in. I know we are ready to run fast. The only question is, how fast? The meet features a lot of quality teams so I anticipate it'll be a great opportunity to challenge ourselves early on."

SCOUTING THE FIELD

Along with the Indian Hills, 11 teams will compete Friday night at the Platte River Rumble Gold event.

• The Warriors are one of three NJCAA programs to compete, joining Highland Community College (KS) and Iowa Western Community College.
• Prominent NCAA DI programs include event hosts Creighton University and University of Omaha and are joined by the likes of Kansas State University, University of Nebraska, and University of South Dakota.

SCOUTING THE COURSE

The Olsson Cross Country Course at Mahoney State Park in Ashland, NE will once again welcome teams from across the Midwest for the Platte River Rumble Gold.

• 28500 W. Park Hwy., Ashland, NE 68003
• 402m Starting Chute
• 10-meter wide grass running surface
• Natural grass barriers for course
• Natural Cedar Tree Barriers to block East/West winds
• 2k loops to accommodate multiple race distances and increased spectator friendliness and athlete experience
• Full course overview: Mahoney State Park | Olsson Cross Country Course

WHAT'S NEXT

Both squads will head to Peoria, IL for the Bradley Intercollegiate at Detweiller Park Friday, September 19.

NEW YEAR - WHAT TO KNOW

Fans can keep up the Indian Hills Cross Country squads all year long through a number of ways:

• X (formerly Twitter): @IHCCAthletics  |  @IHCCRunning
• Facebook: Indian Hills Athletics 
• Instagram: @IHCCXCTF  |  @IHCCAthletics
• Youtube: Indian Hills Athletics
• Website: www.indianhillsathletics.com
• Catch up with the history of Indian Hills Cross Country: IHCC Women's XC Record Book  |  IHCC Men's XC Record Book

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