Tiffin graduate student James Ngandu opened the 2017 cross country season in fine fashion, posting a victory at the Back to the Nature Preserve Open hosted by Bluffton University. His first place finish in the 6k race came in a time of 18:28.6 and led the field by 12 seconds. Ngandu won seven straight matches last season and finished 3rd at the NCAA National Championships in 2016.

The victory for James is his 8th in the last two seasons. Ngandu will be back on the course on September 16, running at the Tiffleberg Open held at Clinton Heights Golf Course.