Perry cross country has numerous new faces for 2025.  One of which is a foreign exchange student, Salim Nurov.  Salim comes to Perry from Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world so the lack of oceans in Iowa is nothing new to him, but the sport of cross country is new.

“I chose cross country is more mental sport and its more about Salim.  I’m trying my best.”

In his lone year at Perry, Salim is trying to help the team anyway possible.  He added he’s really enjoyed his time so far.

“Special community here.  In US its a big difference from Kazakhstan so in general I like it here.”

The first year runner is coming off a 23:00.04 at the Leon Fox Invite last Thursday.

Perry will be at the Saydel Invitational on Thursday.