The boys’ and girls’ varsity cross country teams competed at the Marshalltown Bobcat Invite on Sept. 10. The boys’ team placed second in their race only losing to Ankeny Centennial. The girls’ team won their race by 48 points. The weather at this meet was not ideal as it was raining and misting during the race and was only 54 degrees.

The girls had a very impressive race while on their quest for their fourth state championship in five years. Bella Heikes ’21, a recent Iowa State commit, secured her spot of first on the team placing third in the meet with a 18:46.  Coming in to this meet Heikes was ranked fourth in the state according to IowaRunJumpThrow.com. Olivia Verde ’24 followed Heikes placing fourth in the meet with a 19:12. Aleah Tenpas ’22 placed sixth with a time of 19:21. Behind Tenpas was Bailey Vaughn ’22 who placed 13th with a 19:41, Sam Strauss ’21 who placed 14th with a 19:46, Abbie McLaren ’21 who placed 33rd with a 20:31, and Abigail Wharton ’24 who placed 35th with a time of 20:34.

The boys placed second for the second straight meet. Yohana Yual ’21 came in to the meet ranked sixth in the state according to IowaRunJumpThrow.com, and proved that he was a top 10 runner in the state as he placed second with a time of 16:32. Matt Borgemeier ’21 and Carson Stanley ’21 followed Yual placing seventh and eighth with times of 16:50 and 16:52. Carter Eckhoff ’22 followed placing 13th with a 16:59. Carter Borwick ’21 placed 17th with a 17:09. Stephen Beaman ’22 placed 22nd with a 17:22 and Nathan Kellar ’21 placed 23rd with a 17:24.

Both teams will race again on Sept. 19 at the Heartland Classic in Pella. These teams will look to improve their times greatly after having raced on one of the tougher courses in the state at Pleasant Valley and running in poor weather at Marshalltown.