By Becky Walz,
Auditions are open for a spot on varsity for the Decorah boys’ cross country team.
With the departure of 13 seniors, including two who earned all-conference a season ago, the Vikings will be looking to reload on the way to another NEIC title.
Other than losing the seniors, not much else will change as Brad Johansen is back for his eighth season as the Head Coach. Joining him are veteran assistants Tim Hayes and Adam Bohach.
Making the most of 2020
With 13 returning letter winners and three athletes who ran in Fort Dodge the year before, Decorah looked poised for a strong season in 2020.
Decorah ran away with its 28th conference crown, scoring 25 points. Senior Brady Hogan won his second straight NEIC title, while Noah Lovelace was the runner-up. Along with the senior duo, juniors Arlo Hayes, Hogan Smith, Larsson Shockey and Izaak Eichinger all were named all-conference by finishing in the top 15.
A ticket to the state meet was punched a week later when the boys finished third at the state-qualifying event. Hogan, Lovelace and Smith were all individual qualifiers, taking third, 10th and 14th places, respectively.
Some Vikes struggled a bit to keep with the lead pack at the Class 3A state meet. Hogan led the way for the blue and red, finishing fifth in the team standings. Hayes was 28th while Smith was the third Viking harrier to cross the finish line in 38th. Bennett Schutte made his state debut with a 50th place finish with Lovelace completing the team score in 53rd. Juniors Izaak Eichinger and Larsson Shockey were also on the course, finishing together in 70th and 71st places.
Following graduation in May, Johansen will be without several members that pushed for the top in 2020, including Brady Hogan, Noah Lovelace, Thomas Foster, James Groux, Tyler Irwin, Nolan Jostand, David Olson, Darin Rude, Tate Schissel, Noah Tapscott, Luke Walter, Peter Wilson and Alex Zweibohmer.
With experience
Johansen will have a host of athletes back with talent and experience. At the top of the list are his four all-conference performers. Hayes will be looking to improve on his 17:19.3 time from state a year ago. Smith finished in 17:23.6, while Eichinger crossed the line in 17:50.8. Shockey concluded the state race in 17:53.1.
Schutte was the NEIC JV champion a year ago and finished the season with a time of 17:37.9 at state. August Witt was the JV runner-up, clocking in at 18:37.0 at the conference race.
In addition, Johansen has six other all-conference JV athletes to look to. Adrian Huang, now a senior took third in 19:30.1, while junior Jake Magner took fourth in 19:45.7. Drew Berns who will be a senior claimed sixth in 19:51.4, with fellow incoming senior Dane Cole on his heels coming in with a time of 19:54.7, good for seventh. In eighth it was Landon Folkedahl crossing the line in 20:02.6, while Bradyn Hook was the final Viking to earn all-NEIC honors in 20:23.5, claiming 11th place.
“We were incredibly healthy last year. It will be important that each athlete strives to be the best mental and physical versions of themselves possible,” said Coach Johansen. ‘We can handle the expected workload which comes with experience and that gives a chance to be successful.”
In the NEIC
When it all comes down to times in October, Johansen believes it will be Decorah and Waverly-Shell Rock dueling it out.
“W-SR has a strong returning group,” the veteran skipper noted. “All the other teams in the league have quality people as well. Time will tell if they have seven quality runners to field a highly competitive varsity team.”
With the beginning of the season quickly approaching, Johansen is anxious to get his athletes on the course for a meet.
“When everyone is healthy, practices daily, is disciplined and finds joy in the rigors of the work, that is when we have a great season,” he said. “It will be fun to watch this group strive to achieve greatness.”
The cross country season opened the season Tuesday, Aug. 31, at Oelwein. The All-American meet is Saturday, Sept. 11, at Luther at 9 a.m.
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