By Becky Walz,
After reaching the ultimate goal of a state title, the South Winn girls cross country team is ready to bring home another trophy, while the boys are looking to taste sweet success.
The 2021 season brought the Lady Warriors to the top of the podium for the first time in the school’s history as South Winn won the Class 1A state title in Fort Dodge, now they are poised to do it again with six of their top seven girls returning for 2022.
While the boys’ cross country team lost four of its top runners from last season to graduation, many of those returning race at the varsity level throughout the year, earning valuable experience which could translate to success this season.
After reaching the ultimate goal of a state title, the South Winn girls cross country team is ready to bring home another trophy, while the boys are looking to taste sweet success.
The 2021 season brought the Lady Warriors to the top of the podium for the first time in the school’s history as South Winn won the Class 1A state title in Fort Dodge, now they are poised to do it again with six of their top seven girls returning for 2022.
While the boys’ cross country team lost four of its top runners from last season to graduation, many of those returning race at the varsity level throughout the year, earning valuable experience which could translate to success this season.
Leading the way are Co-Head Coaches Scott Conway and Kevin Kearney, both have been with the program for 29 years.
Rising to the top
In 2021, the girls had the experience that could lead to great things as the squad featured one senior, four juniors and a sophomore, along with some promising freshmen.
Throughout the season, the Lady Warriors found themselves in the front of the pack and near the top of the rankings. Things came together at the right time as South Winn blazed its way to the front of the pack at the Upper Iowa Conference meet for the second year in row. The boys edged out MFL MarMac for third at the meet in Ossian and Warriors senior Isaiah Kruckman broke the tape to be crowned the champion.
At the state qualifier, the SW girls won the meet, racing to the top of the standings with 47 points over Wapsie Valley. Kruckman was the lone qualifier for the boys as he finished fifth at the qualifier in 17:05.3.
Entering the state meet ranked number two and one of the top runners in Class 1A in Billie Wagner, it was a team effort that pushed the Warriors to the top. South Winn posted a team score of 104 points with a spread of 2:56 and an average time of 21:11.
Leading the Warriors to the finish line was then fourth-ranked Wagner, who earned her third trip to the deck by placing fourth in 19:20.88. Eryn Sabelka (21:16.77) and Josie Tieskoetter (21:20.10) crossed the finish line together in 17th and 18th place, respectively in the team standings. Freshman Karissa Wenthold did her part as well, placing 27th in the team standings in 21:42.31, with Anna Dietzenbach sealing the deal with her 41st team finish in 22:17.75. Also competing for South Winn at state were Megan Hageman (42nd, 22:20.43) and Ella Willey (69th, 23:04.62).
Meanwhile, Kruckman finished his high school career on a high note, finishing 11th in the strong pack in 16:59.52 to earn his medal.
Ready to do it again
The Lady Warriors will be led by a strong senior class that’s full of experience.
“These girls know what it takes to compete at a high level and demonstrate a great deal of leadership and strive to make themselves better,” said the veteran coaches.
In addition to Wagner, Hageman, Dietzenbach, E. Willey, Josie Tieskoetter and Wenthold, South Winn can look to Quinn Kruckman, Josie Tollefsrud, Aubrey Willey, Kira Ellingson, Grace Zweibohmer, Izzy Kuboushek, Katie Shimek, Tessa Phillips, Maddy Jansen and Cloey Zweibohmer.
The coaches noted that keeping the girls healthy and injury-free will be the key to their success this season.
“Several teams around the state return strong squads. Over the past several seasons, our sixth and seventh runners have set us apart from other teams. If we can put our seven in with other teams’ fifth runners, that will help us be competitive with those other teams,” they added.
As the team gears up for the 2022 season, Kearney and Conway expect the Upper Iowa Conference race to come down to Central Elkader, North Fayette Valley, Kee and the Warriors.
Time to step up
Having lost four of their seven top boys from last year, the South Winn boys will need to step up to fill those positions quickly.
Looking to lead the team this season are four letter winners including Omar Flores (13th at districts last year), Kyle Hunter Wagner (21st at UIC), Hageman (28th at UIC) and Dawson Wenthold (30th at UIC).
“If we can get a group running close together, we will be able to finish well in the team race,” said the co-coaches. “This will be an interesting team. We are young and inexperienced, but our guys are off to a great start, and they are a group who could surprise some people later in the season.”
Among the newcomers to the team who could make a difference is junior Bo Wangsness and freshmen Eli Higgins, Landon Merrill, Bradley Dahl and Diego Flores. Not to mention others on the team — Chase Adam, Nathan Davis, Abe Conway, Max Moonen, John Donovan, Henry Schmitt and Henry Willey.
In glancing at the UIC, the co-coaches expect Clayton Ridge to rise to the top as they return all seven of their runners, along with MFL MarMac and North Fayette Valley.
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