-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Bryce Gidel of Humboldt compete during the girls 5k run on Tuesday at River Road Golf Course

ALGONA — For the fifth consecutive time, the Humboldt girls finished on top here Tuesday at the North Central Conference cross country meet held at River Road Golf Course.

Led by Bryce Gidel’s repeat first-place performance, the Wildcats finished a comfortable 53 points ahead of runner-up Iowa Falls-Alden, as all five runners placed inside the Top-10.

St. Edmond was third, followed by Algona, Clear Lake, Hampton-Dumont, Webster City and Clarion-Goldfield/Dows.

Gidel, the defending event champion, finished in 19:19, well ahead of Cadet Aubrie Fisher.

“It’s really special to be able to win another NCC title with my team,” Gidel said. “We have been working hard this season and it’s nice to see our hard work pay off.”

Humboldt’s Gabby Kent was third in 19:48, with Isabella Luu finishing fifth, Lauren Erickson sixth and Madeleine Ruzicka ninth.

“I’m glad I could do everything I could to help out my team,” Gidel said. “But the season is not over yet. We are focused now on the upcoming district meet and want to get back to state.

“This has been a special year. Everyone has been running so well and we are excited to see how far we can go.”

Algona’s Hailey Schmidt added a Top-10 finish to lead the Bulldogs, placing 10th overall in 21:28.

St. Edmond’s trio of Riley Mayer, Audrey Kolacia and Abby Landwehr all cracked the Top-15. Mayer was 12th in 21:30, with Kolacia placing 13th and Landwehr 14th.

“We were shooting for Iowa Falls-Alden but they got us by four points,” SEHS head coach Mike Szalat said. “Our spread did come down to 90 seconds between our first and fifth runners.

“The Top-3 (Mayer, Kolacia, Landwehr) ran together as a group, but we needed someone to take charge and get after it a little more, which (Mayer) did.”

Stephanie Castro was the top finisher for Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, coming home in 20th and Webster City’s Emma Piper led the Lynx in 35th.

In the junior varsity race, Humboldt’s Katelyn Skow was first in 23:27, with teammate Kirstyn Beaman placing second. St. Edmond’s Olivia Kolacia finished ninth overall.

Hampton-Dumont’s Lauren Meader was the middle school champion, with Sophie Vanderpool of Webster City finishing second. Addie Schulte from St. Edmond placed eighth.

Next action for these teams will be next Thursday when they compete in state qualifying meets. State cross country is set for Oct. 28 at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.

GIRLS RESULTS

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Humboldt 24; 2. Iowa Falls-Alden 77; 3. St. Edmond 81; 4. ALgona 110; 5. Clear Lake 131; 6. Hampton-Dumont 164; 7. Webster City 170; 8. Clarion-Goldfield/Dows 207.

Humboldt — 1. Bryce Gidel, 19:19; 3. Gabby Kent, 19:48; 5. Isabella Luu, 20:51; 6. Lauren Erickson, 21:07; 9. Madeleine, 21:23.

TOP TEN

1. Bryce Gidel, Humboldt, 19:19; 2. Aubrie Fisher, IFA, 19:36; 3. Gabby Kent, Humboldt, 19:48; 4. Ellie Meyer, IFA, 20:34; 5. Isabella Luu, Humboldt, 20:51; 6. Lauren Erickson, Humboldt, 21:07; 7. Patty Teggatz, Hampton-Dumont, 21:10; 8. Gretchen Jones, Clear Lake, 21:17; 9. Madeleine Ruzicka, Humboldt, 21:23; 10. Hailey Schmidt, Algona, 21:28.

MESSENGER-AREA TEAMS

St. Edmond — Riley Mayer, 21:30; 13. Audrey Kolacia, 21:35; 14. Abby Landwehr, 21:40; 20. Leah Johnson, 22:48; 22. Jacey Ash, 23:00.

Algona — 10. Hailey Schmidt, 21:29; 17. Ashley Steenhoek, 22:44; 23. Carley Mullins, 23:10; 28. Paige Nygaard, 23;25; 32. Ashley Weringa, 23:49.

Webster City — 19. Kaelyn Butz, 22:48; 35. Emma Piper, 24:07; 36. Kaitlyn Wagner, 24:08; 37. Elycia Obrecht, 24:25; 43. Haley Flaws, 24:47.

Clarion-Goldfield/Dows — 30. Stephanie Castro, 23:34; 40. Raven Kinnetz, 24:41; 42. Katherine Lopez, 24:46; 44. Angela Castro, 24:55; 51. Kylie Klaver, 25:58.