By Becky Walz,
The race to the postseason began Tuesday for the Decorah girls’ and boys’ cross country teams under perfect conditions at Oneota Golf and Country Club.
Competing hard, the varsity boys earned second with 59 points, while the girls finished third with 67 points. Waverly-Shell Rock swept the team titles in both varsity events with the boys scoring 51 points and the girls 54.
Results for the junior varsity races were unavailable at press time and may be posted online at www.driftlessjournal.com when available.
Silver for boys
Ranked 11th in Class 3A, the varsity boys had four runners earn all-conference honors by finishing in the top 15, with another just missing a medal.
Class 3A No. 19 Nick Kepford of Waverly-Shell Rock held off Decorah’s Arlo Hayes in the closing 50 yards to break the tape in 17:08.30. Hayes earned his second all-conference honor with a time of 17:09.50 — 42 seconds faster than his time a year ago.
Bennett Schutte produced a time of 17:58.30 to cross the finish line 12th for the Vikes. A year ago, Schutte was the junior varsity champion. Larsson Shockey claimed his second straight all-conference honor by finishing 14th. The senior had a time of 18:01.20. Junior Cade Olson was named all-NEIC for the first time by finishing 15th in 18:01.80. A place behind him was Izaak Eichinger. In 18:03.20, he placed 16th to round out the team score.
Also suiting up for the Vikes were Jake Magner, 20th, 18:19.40 and Henry Weis, 29th, 18:45.00.
“To have five guys in the top 16 and our fifth runner ahead of every other teams’ fourth runner was a very solid effort. The team gave it their best shot,” said Viking boys’ coach Brad Johansen.
Bronze
Three of the seven varsity girls earned all-NEIC honors. It was Waverly-Shell Rock’s Sydney Bochmann claiming the individual title in 20:21.80.
Nearly crossing the finish line together were Rebecca Anderson and Danielle Losen. In sixth place it was Anderson posting a time of 20:58.60 for her second all-conference nod, while Losen stopped the clock at 21:01.50 in seventh place. After placing 21st at the NEIC meet a year ago, Annalise Skrade claimed an all-NEIC honor with an 11th place finish. She had a time of 21:25.20.
The final four Vikes came in with six places of each other with Brynn Storhoff taking 21st in 22:16.40 and Kate Kelly earning 22nd in 22:16.70 to fill out the team score. McKenzie Riley, 24th, 22:25.00 and Abby Halverson, 27th, 23:06.30 were also on the course competing for Decorah.
“I am so proud of this team! It has been fun to watch them grow as people but more importantly as teammates! Thanks to our parents and the community for their support all season,” commented girls’ coach Cristy Nimrod.
State-Qualifying next
The next race is the big one for the Decorah teams as the Vikes host one of the Class 3A state-qualifying races Wednesday, Oct. 20, at Oneota Golf & Country Club at 4 p.m. The first three teams, plus the top 15 individual place winners will qualify for the state meet to be held Friday, Oct. 29, in Fort Dodge.
Boys’ varsity team results
1. Waverly-Shell Rock 51; 2. Decorah 59; 3. Waukon 70; 4. Charles City 90; 5. New Hampton 90; 6. Crestwood 161
Girls’ varsity team results
1. Waverly-Shell Rock 54; 2. Crestwood 60; 3. Decorah 67; 4. New Hampton 100; 5. Charles City 106; 6. Waukon 110
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