-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Joseph Numert of Humboldt compete during the boys 5k run on Monday at Sheldon Park

ALGONA — The battle between Humboldt and Clear Lake on the cross country course stretched through the North Central Conference meet here Tuesday.

In the end, the Lions were able to clip the Wildcats by two points for gold at River Road Golf Course.

Sam Pedelty was meet medalist from Clear Lake, as the Lions scored 38 points to 40 by Humboldt, which featured second place finisher Joseph Kunert and third place runner Quinton Orr.

Webster City was third followed by Iowa Falls-Alden, Algona, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, St. Edmond and Hampton-Dumont.

Pedelty finished the course in 16:56, with Kunert coming in at 17:02 and Orr 17:04.

“I really like how our team competed,” Kunert said. “We came in as underdogs and only lost by two points. The weather was perfect for a fast race so I tried to get out and was happy with my finish.”

Algona’s Trey Engen earned all-conference honors, placing fourth overall in 17:10. Humboldt also had two more in the Top-10 courtesy of Denny Pederson’s sixth place finish and Devon Coon’s 10th.

Jed Tracy, competing in cross country this year for the first time, was ninth overall to lead St. Edmond. Tracy finished in 18:06.

“Jed ran a really smart race,” SEHS head coach Mike Szalat said. “He got out a little better and put himself in a good position to move up after the early portion of the event.

“We have a pretty inexperienced group, but they have improved so much over the course of the season.”

Webster City’s Tyler Bultena was seventh overall and Hayden Klaver from Clarion-Goldfield/Dows placed 16th.

Lewis Callaway of Clear Lake won the junior varsity race, with Humboldt’ Elijah Torres placing third. Tanner Reismann from Clear Lake was the middle school winner, as St. Edmond’s Aaron Lursen finished as runner-up.

Next action for these teams will be a week from Thursday when they compete in state qualifying meets. The state cross country meet is scheduled for Oct. 28 in Fort Dodge at Lakeside Golf Course.