It's all a learning process right now for the Fort Dodge girls cross country team.
With five Class 4A ranked programs in attendance, the Dodgers saw some of the top teams in the state up close on Thursday at the Fort Dodge Invitational.
Urbandale, rated sixth in 4A, pulled out the overall title, ending Waukee's reign on top.
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Messenger photo by Dale Wooten
Madison Bodholdt runs for Fort Dodge in on Thursday at Lakeside. For more photos, please visit CU?at www.messengernews.net
The No. 12 Warriors were second, followed by Valley, No. 13 Roosevelt and 10th-ranked Ames.
The Dodgers placed 11th.
"We are just going to continue to work on improving as a collective unit," FDSH head coach Tim Hanson said. "This was a stacked field - even deeper than the boys this year - but our girls went out there and competed as best they could.
Fact Box
Girls Team Standings
1. Urbandale, 59; 2. Waukee, 69; 3. Valley, 72; 4. Roosevelt, 90; 5. Ames, 96; 6. Ankeny, 114; 7. Johnston, 161; 8. Indianola, 219; 9. Mason City, 264; 10. Webster City, 281; 11. Fort Dodge, 330; 12. Boone, 356.
Girls Individual Top-5
1. Lydia Saggau, V, 14:40; 2. Megan Schott, R, 14:53; 3. Claire Dupuis, A, 14:53; 4. Caroline Marnin, A, 14:56; 5. Kayla Sabotin, W, 14:58.
Fort Dodge - 55. Madison Bodholdt, 16:51; 65. Sarah Rethwisch, 17:34; 67. Sydney Crotts, 17:44; 71. Amberly Habhab, 18:26; 72. Becca Sunken, 18:39; 74. Laura Nerlich, 18:44.
"We'll see where we are in a couple of weeks and go from there, but I like the attitudes that they have."
Lydia Saggau of Valley picked up the individual gold, clocking a time of 14:30. Megan Schott from Roosevelt was second in 14:53.
For the Dodgers, Madison Bodholdt was the high finisher, placing 55th overall in 16:51. Sarah Rethwisch finished 65th (17:34) and Sydney Crotts was 67th (17:44).
"I liked what I saw out of Madison," Hanson said. "And I also thought Sarah and Sydney had solid races.
"Running against teams like this will only make us better in the long run."
Fort Dodge will see four of these schools later this year at districts, as Indianola, Urbandale and Valley all run at Waukee.
Next action for the Dodgers is Thursday in Marshalltown at the CIML Invitational.
Webster City finished 10th overall, as Morgan Moline placed 36th in 15:59. Courtney Biere was 58th (16:58) and Allie Flaws finished 60th (17:03).