Former Iowa prep earns NCAA All-America status

Dana Becker

Former Iowa prep earns NCAA All-America status image

A two-time Iowa Gatorade athlete of the year, Paityn Noe dominated the cross country and track scene while competing for Ballard High School. But Noe's success hasn't stopped there, as she continues to rack up honors while running for Arkansas.

The sophomore set a new school record and placed fourth Friday at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 10,000-meter run. She clocked a time of 31:36.91, breaking the school mark by 20 seconds while placing herself ninth on the all-time collegiate list for the event.

The women's 10,000 was the fastest ever, as Pamela Kosgei of New Mexico broke the meet record in 31:17.82. Noe was among five runners to break the previous mark of 31:46.09, as nine school records and 11 personal bests were set.

Noe was the 2022-23 Iowa Gatorade Cross Country Player of the Year and 2022-23 Iowa Gatorade Track and Field Player of the Year. She left Ballard having won two Drake Relays titles and multiple cross country and track and field state championships.

Last year, Noe was ninth at the NCAA Championships in the 10,000, earning second team All-America status. 

Noe also ran cross country for the Razorbacks, as she was fifth in the SEC Championships and competed at the NCAA Championships. 

She has earned Top 10 finishes at numerous national running races including the Nike Outdoor Nationals, the HOKA Festival of Miles and the Arkansas High School Invitational.

Dana Becker

Dana Becker is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has been a sports writer since 2000, covering high school sports, the Big 12 and more for On SI, The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others.