The Iowa Falls-Alden/AGWSR cross country team hosted 11 area schools for a season opening meet at Maynes Grove on Thursday.
In the girls race, Clear Lake was the champion with a 64, Iowa Falls-Alden/AGWSR placed third, Dike-New Hartford was fourth, Aplington-Parkersburg was fifth, South Hardin was seventh, Belmond-Klemme was eighth and Hampton-Dumont-CAL finished 11th.
Individually, IFA/AGWSR’s Demi Beaubien finished runner-up in 20:29.3.
“I was really happy about it. I feel like the whole team did something, we usually do this good at the end of the year. I feel like we’re starting strong, which is great. I was going for top five, so I’m really happy with top two,” says Beaubien. “My goal was to stick with Brynn because we’ve been running together since we were in middle school. We’ve really just been side by side. It’s just great to have someone that I know can push me. I’m so happy for her. Overall, this was probably one of my favorite meets of the year.”
Aplington-Parkersburg’s Bella Bernard placed ninth in 22:20.3. South Hardin’s Mya Wilaby was 13th (22:34). Dike-New Hartford’s Lily Moore was 14th (22:39). HD-CAL’s Mackenzy Valley placed 16th (22:45). Belmond-Klemme’s Lila Swenson finished 20th (23:02) to round out top local finishers.
In the boys race, Dike-New Hartford was the champion with a 75, Iowa Falls-Alden/AGWSR was the runner-up, Aplington-Parkersburg placed fifth, Hampton-Dumont-CAL was ninth and Belmond-Klemme finished 10th.
Individually, IFA/AGWSR’s Andrew Herrin finished runner-up in 18:11.9.
“It was good. It’s pretty tough course because it is very hilly. It’s a hard race, I’m not very good at hills, but I had a pretty good run because I was up in the front for most of race,” says Herrin. “This is my home course, so I’m kind used to it. There’s definitely a difference from golf course to trail course. It’s definitely harder to run, definitely harder to stay light on your feet, your legs get really heavy for sure.”
Aplington-Parkersburg’s Trevan Thomas placed fourth in 18:36. Dike-New Hartford teammates Sully O’Neill (18:46.7) and McKennen Lindaman (18:55.7) finished ninth and 10th respectively. HD-CAL’s Arnold Guevara was 24th (20:08). South Hardin’s Jonah Vanderwilt was 27th (20:11).Belmond-Klemme’s Logan Torsell finished in 44th (21:25.7 to round out top local finishers.
