-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla St. Edmond State cross country qualifiers (left to right) Front Row: Kelli Kersten, Leah Johnson, Jacey Ash, Sydney Schalte, Abby Landwehr Back Row: Olivia Kolacia, Riley Meyer, Jed Tracy, Audrey Kolacia

Jed Tracy wasn’t entirely sure what he was getting into when he decided to go out for cross country this year.

Now, the St. Edmond sophomore is set to compete with the Class 1A elite on Saturday at the state meet.

Tracy will run with the rest of the field at 2:30 p.m. in the final race of the day at Lakeside Golf Course.

“It means a lot qualifying for state in my first season because it shows what I can do as a runner for having never competed in a 5K race before (the year),” Tracy said. “I know I’m not the best runner at state, but I also not I’m not the worst.

“I have to run my race and gather learning experience for the next couple of years.”

North Union’s Riley Bauer returns as a defending state champion and is ranked first in 1A. The field also includes Exira-EHK’s Evan Wilson and Nodaway Valley’s Brycen Wallace.

For Tracy, it presents a second chance to compete at home. Earlier this year, the Gaels ran in the Fort Dodge Invitational, which was held at the state course.

“Having ran here will give me an advantage over some of the runners who haven’t yet,” Tracy said. “I already have a good feel for what the course is like.

“I’ve also gained a lot of valuable information from my coaches and teammates throughout the season that has helped prepare me for this.”

He’ll be joined by the 13th-ranked St. Edmond girls, who advanced for a fourth consecutive season. They run as a team at 2 p.m.

Seniors Audrey Kolacia and Riley Mayer will be competing in their fourth state meets, with junior Abby Landwehr making her third showing.

“Audrey and Riley have meant a lot to this program and I believe they will go out there and put forth a great effort,” SEHS head coach Mike Szalat said. “I’ve been very spoiled to have them for their cross country careers both in high school and middle school.”

Four freshmen round out the lineup in Jacey Ash, Leah Johnson, Kelli Kersten and Sydney Schulte.

“Audrey, Riley and Abby have all been great leaders for the younger girls who are experiencing this week for the first time,” Szalat said. “They have done a great job of preparing them for the conditions, the course and the environment.”

Kolacia earned 16th her ninth-grade season at state and Mayer was 18th overall as St. Edmond finished ninth. The Gaels were fifth in 2015 with Landwehr placing 20th, Kolacia finishing 29th and Mayer 42nd.

Last year, St. Edmond finished sixth as Landwehr placed 21st, Mayer 25th and Kolacia 44th overall.

Springville sophomore Emily Staal is ranked No. 1 with juniors Janette Schraft of East Mills and Emma Lucas of Bedford second and third. Hudson is ranked No. 1 coming in followed by two-time defending state champion Central Elkader, Kee and Panorama.

“I really can’t remember in 19 years of coaching a race this wide open on either side,” Szalat said. “I honestly think there are eight teams that can win the girls team title.

“It’s going to be intense.”