By Becky Walz,
The South Winn girls’ cross country team celebrated a victory Saturday as the Warriors claimed the Class 1A title at the state meet in Fort Dodge.
The Warriors, first made the deck in 2015 as a combined squad with Turkey Valley in Class 2A. Last year, South Winn was squeezed out of the top spot by two points and were not to be denied again this year. In addition, Billie Wagner earned her third individual medal of her high school career by placing in the top-15.
South Winn also sent senior Isaiah Kruckman as an individual to compete in Class 1A and saw him reach the deck.
For the fourth year in a row, Jalyssa Blazek not only represented Turkey Valley, but also made the deck. The Trojans also sent senior Cambree Kruse as an individual in Class 1A.
The Decorah boys finished ninth place in Friday’s Class 3A race, while Rebecca Anderson was on the course for the Lady Vikings as an individual.
What a finish
The Warriors, which came into the meet ranked No. 2 in Class 1A, had one of the best runners going into the meet. However, it was a team effort that pushed the Warriors onto the podium Saturday.
When the final runner crossed the finish line on the picture-perfect day, the Warriors had accomplished something no other South Winn girls team has done in school history – winning the title.
In total, the Warriors posted 104 points to be crowned the champions. They had a spread of 2:56, with an average time of 21:11 on the 5K course. Logan-Magnolia, which entered the race at No. 1 in the state was second with 121 points and an average time of 21:09. Fourth-ranked St. Edmond (Fort Dodge) placed third with 167 points and an average time of 21:51.
Freshman Noelle Steines of Calamus-Wheatland broke the tape, crossing the finish line in 18:20.91, a new class record.
The Warriors were led by No. 4 Billie Wagner, who earned her third trip to the deck. The junior earned fourth in the team standing in 19:20.88. As a freshman she was fifth and was last year’s runner-up.
Eryn Sabelka and Josie Tieskoetter crossed the finish line back-to-back in 17th and 18th in the team standings (36th and 37th overall). Sabelka capped off her career with a time of 21:16.77, while Tieskoetter finished her sophomore season with a run of 21:20.10. Freshman Karissa Wenthold didn’t let the pressure buckle her. She placed 27th (51st overall) in 21:42.31. Junior Anna Dietzenbach sealed the deal for the Warriors by placing 41st (71st overall) in 22:17.75.
Megan Hageman toured the course in 22:20.43 for 42nd (73rd overall), while Ella Willey concluded the race in 23:04.62, good for 69th (108th overall).
Fourth medal
Turkey Valley seniors Jalyssa Blazek and Cambree Kruse finished out their high school careers with runs at state.
In a time of 18:36.25, Blazek captured second place, 15 seconds ahead of her previous best time and school record. Her time is No. 2 on the Class 1A girls’ all-time list.
With Blazek’s silver medal, it marks her fourth medal in her high school career. She was sixth as a freshman, third as a sophomore and third as a junior.
In her first time at state, Cambree Kruse finished in 60th overall, posting a time of 21:52.58.
Kruckman on the deck
No. 23 South Winn senior Isaiah Kruckman also put on his running shoes Saturday, competing as an individual.
Running in Class 1A, Kruckman capped off a stellar senior season with a trip to state and the deck in Fort Dodge. Running behind the lead pack early, Kruckman picked his way up to the front, finishing 11th overall in 16:59.52 for an individual medal.
The winner was Earlham’s Jayden Dickson in 16:06.46. The team champion was No. 1 ACGC.
Vikes finish strong
The Vikings finished the 2021 season by placing ninth as a team at the state meet.
Saturday, the No. 13 Vikes continued to show improvement, placing ninth overall with 234 points. Decorah had an average time of 17:44, with a spread of 36 seconds.
No. 1 Dallas Center-Grimes took the team title with 60 points with an average time of 16:34. Senior No. 1 Aidan Ramsey of Dallas Center-Grimes won the individual time with a time of 15:36.08.
Viking senior No. 30 Arlo Hayes concluded his career by placing 39th overall and 27th in the team standings in 17:25.90. Larsson Shockey toured the course in 17:33.43, earning 50th (33rd overall). Bennett Schutte crossed the finish line 71st overall (49th) in 17:46.27. Coming home in 17:55.34 was Izaak Eichinger to place 85th overall (59th overall). Concluding the team score, junior Cade Olson clocked in at 18:02.40. That was good for 93rd overall (66th).
Sophomore Henry Weis placed 106th (77th) in 18:17.31, while Jacob Magner wrapped up his junior campaign in 18:41.09, good for 123rd overall (94th).
Anderson alone
Rebecca Anderson suited up for the Vikings in the Class 3A girls’ race as an individual after qualifying for her third-straight state competition. Top-ranked Ballard junior Paityn Noe won the race in 18:12.74. Anderson did not compete for much of the season due to illness; however, she was able to recover and qualify as the lone Decorah female runner. At the end of Saturday’s race, she finished 34th overall in 20:11.06.
Class 1A girls’ team scores
1. South Winneshiek 104; 2. Logan-Magnolia 121; 3. St. Edmond (Fort Dodge) 167; 4. Hudson 170; 5. Pekin 177; 6. Iowa City Regina 204; 7. Sumner-Fredericksburg 219; 8. North Tama-Traer 226; 9. North Linn 227; 10. Woodbine 232; 11. Earlham 235; 12. Mason City Newman 255; 13. Wapsie Valley 257; 14. St. Albert (Council Bluffs) 263; 15. ACGC 267; 16. Central Decatur 368
Class 3A boys’ team scores
1. Dallas Center-Grimes 60; 2. Marion 62; 3. North Polk 153; 4. Pella 161; 5. Solon 190; 6. MOC-Floyd Valley 191; 7. Carlisle 205; 8. Epworth (Western Dubuque) 224; 9. Decorah 234; 10. Glenwood 235; 11. Mount Vernon-Lisbon 243; 12. Newton 251; 13. ADM Adel 257; 14. Sioux Center 261; 15. Charles City 365
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