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Dodgers, Gaels ready for FDSH Invitational

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Eric Crawford of Fort Dodge competes at Sheldon Park in Humboldt earlier this season.

Anytime cross country teams get a sneak peek of the state meet course, it’s a plus.

When that course is in your own backyard, it’s that much more special.

The Dodger cross country squad will host the annual Fort Dodge Invitational here on Thursday at Lakeside. Middle school action begins at 3:45 p.m., followed by junior varsity. Varsity action will start at approximately 5:20 p.m. with the girls’ varsity race.

“The kids are excited to be home and be able to have family and friends come out and see them run,” said first-year FDSH head coach Joe Jackson. “There are some area teams as well, and a lot of the big schools like to come check out the state course.

“All the top schools want to (participate). It will definitely be a fast field. Fans get to see some of the best runners in the state.”

Along with the Dodgers, St. Edmond will run in its only home meet of the regular season.

Joining the Dodgers and Gaels will be Alta-Aurelia, Ames, Ankeny Centennial, Ankeny, Boone, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson, Dowling, Indianola, Johnston, Newton, Des Moines Roosevelt, Southeast Polk, Sioux City North, Urbandale, Valley, Waukee and Webster City.

“Our kids are looking forward to running,” Jackson said. “They’re hoping to improve on their times. We may not have the fastest kids in the state, but we have one of the hardest working groups.

“It fits in with Homecoming week; it’s a fun thing for people to come out and support.”

On the boys side, there are six ranked teams. Four are in the Top-10, led by No. 1 Dowling and second-ranked Johnston. Other ranked squads are No. 6 Valley, No. 7 Waukee, No. 13 Ankeny and No. 14 Ankeny Centennial.

Matthew Carmody of Dowling and Tim Sindt of Ankeny are the top two rated runners in Class 4A. Seventh-ranked Merga Gemeday of Sioux City North and Camden Cox (No. 10) of Ankeny Centennial are also in the field.

The St. Edmond girls enter as the eighth-ranked team in Class 1A.

“It’s a great meet,” said St. Edmond head coach Mike Szalat. “It’s a chance for our kids to run on an outstanding course. It’s kind of an eye-opening experience to see schools from the 4A level.

“It will be nice to run against Alta-Aurelia, being only two spots behind us in the rankings. That gives us something to shoot for and try to compete against them.”

On the girls side, Johnston is No. 1, followed by No. 3 Dowling, No. 7 Waukee, No. 13 Urbandale and No. 15 Ankeny Centennial in Class 4A.

Alta-Aurelia is the 10th-rated team in 1A.

“It’s a chance for our kids to run at home,” Szalat said. “It’s nice to get a feel for the course — especially on a course that is typically fast.”

Seventh-ranked Jessica McKee of Johnston and No. 8 Grace Berg of Indianola are Top-10 on the girls side.

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