Messenger photos by Britt Kudla Manson Northwest Webster’s Maddie Moline runs in the Southeast Valley Invitational Thursday. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

GOWRIE — It’s only one meet, but St. Edmond head coach Mike Szalat is excited to see what’s ahead for his girls squad.

The Gaels repeated as team champions on Thursday at the Southeast Valley Invitational, placing all five counters in the Top-17 and all seven in the Top-25.

St. Edmond recorded just 48 team points — 30 ahead of runner up Manson Northwest Webster (78). South Central Calhoun (85) was third.

“This is just validation of what hard work in the summer does,” said Szalat, who enters his 21st season as head coach. “It’s been a tough week at St. Edmond and the kids have felt everything that has happened, but to see what they did is a credit to them.

“This group cares about each other. I know it’s only the first meet, but there is something special about these teams.”

Manson Northwest Webster’s Maddie Moline wasn’t happy with the way her track season went last spring, so she went to work: on her mind, her body and her family farm.

“I defintely put in the work this summer — not only physically, but mentally,” Moline said. “I had a pretty rough track season and wasn’t in the greatest place metally, so I really had to pull myself out of that this summer.

“Not only was I running early in the morning, but also working at my family farm most days while still being able to get in core, cross training, and lifting. I really listened to my body this summer and that helped me come into the season fresh and ready to work.”

Moline started her junior season with a championship on Thursday with a time of 20:54.

“Getting a win to start the season feels great,” Moline said. “I defintely knew I had a chance, but I didn’t put the pressure on myself to win it. I think being able to take that pressure off myself really helped me during the race.

“I was also so excited to see my teammates have great perfromances, too. I really think our team can do well this year on both the girls and guys side.”

St. Edmond junior Aubrey Bemrich was the runner-up, crossing in 21:57. Gael sophomore Alexksandria Aljets (22:26) rounded out the Top-5.

“In the latter stages of last year, we saw the potential of Aubrey,” Szalat said. “She is just scratching the surface, and we have a chance to see some really good things.”

Freshman Anna Kolacia (23:25) was just outside the Top-10 in 11th, while sophomore Caroline Shelly (23:34) was 13th. Junior Kelli Kersten (24:17) capped off the scoring in 17th.

Junior Leah Johnson (19th in 24:29) and Jacy Ash (23rd in 24:52) were the other two varsity runners for SEHS.

Senior Olivia Kolacia (24th) and freshman Kiara Baker (25th) cracked the Top-25 despite running for the Gael JV squad.

“We’re a tighter pack then we were last year,” Szalat said. “Aleksandria, Kelli, Caroline and Jacy can all move up from last year, and to see Anna up there as a freshman is great.”

The Cougars also had Paige Condon (22:55) in the Top-10 at No. 6. Also counting for MNW was Preslie Oswald (14th), Abi Shannon (27th) and Kelsey Widlund (36th).

Clarion-Goldfield/DowsRaven Kinnetz (23:06) was seventh, while South Central Calhoun’s Mariah Hardy (23:24) rounded out the Top-10.

The Gaels are back in action on Tuesday when they run at Webster City.

GIRLS TEAM STANDINGS

1. St. Edmond 48; 2. Manson Northwest Webster 78; 3. South Central Calhoun 85; 4. Ridge View 92; 5. West Central Valley 151; 6. OA/BCIG 156; 7. Southeast Valley 159; 8. Clarion-Goldfield/Dows 168; 9. West Bend-Mallard 183.

Top Ten

1. Maddie Moline, Manson Northwest Webster, 20:54; 2. Aubrey Bemrich, St. Edmond, 21:57; 3. Katlyn Wiese, Ridge View, 21:59; 4. Paige Padavich, Ridge View, 22:02; 5. Alexsandria Aljets, St. Edmond, 22:26; 6. Paige Condon, Manson Northwest Webster, 22:55; 7. Raven Kinnetz, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, 23:06; 8. Hanna Blackmore, Ridge View, 23:07; 9. Sophia Veltri, OA/BCIG, 23:13. 10. Mariah Hardy, South Central Calhoun, 23:24.

St. Edmond — 2. Bemrich; 5. Aljets; 11. Anna Kolacia, 23:25; 13. Caroline Shelly, 23:34; 17. Kelli Kersten, 24:17; 19. Leah Johnson, 24:29; 23. Jacy Ash, 24:52.

Manson Northwest Webster — 1. Moline; 6. Condon; 14. Preslie Oswald, 23:59; 27. Abi Shannon, 25:40; 36. Kelsey Widlund, 27:00.

South Central Calhoun — 10. Hardy; 15. Alexia Nelson, 24:14; 16. Ashley Hanks, 24:16; 18. Alayna Murley, 24:21; 28. Brielle Korleski, 25:48.

Southeast Valley — 26. Morgan Farnham, 25:26; 30. Madison Doyle, 26:22; 32. Marlie Johnson, 26:38; 33. Emily Hemmestad, 26:39; 66. Emma Hunter, 30:55.

Clarion-Goldfield/Dows — 7. Kinnetz; 41. Natalie Kirstein, 27:43; 54. Makayla Pulido, 29:24; 60. Jackie Lopez, 30:01; 68. Kylie Klaver, 31:25.

West Bend-Mallard — 12. Julia Fehr, 23:25; 34. Crystal Fehr, 26:42; 49. Kayla Welter, 28:44; 65. Morgan Schmidt, 30:48; 67. Cassidy Welter, 31:01.