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Gidel seeks fourth NCC crown

—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Humboldt senior Bryce Gidel will look to become the first four-time North Central Conference cross country champion Tuesday night in Webster City.

Humboldt senior Bryce Gidel will look to make history in Tuesday’s North Central Conference cross country meet.

Action will begin at 5 p.m. in Webster City.

Teams in attendance will be Webster City, St. Edmond, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, Humboldt, Algona, Clear Lake, Iowa Falls-Alden and Hampton-Dumont.

Gidel, who has committed to run at the University of Iowa, will try to become the first ever four-time NCC champion.

“I’m trying to approach this meet like every other race,” Gidel said. “I’m just focused on what I can control, which is myself and how well I can run. I’m trying not to get caught up in the three time or four time champion stuff, it’s all about doing as well as I can for my team and hopefully we come out on top.

“It’s been a great experience running in the NCC. I will miss it, but my running days will continue. So really, it’s one race at a time.”

Eagle Grove’s Jill Gazaway (1981-1983), Sara Stevens (1996-1998) and Tiffany Christensen (2011-2013) are the only three-time winners.

The Wildcat girls will also be searching for their seventh straight team title, which would be one less than the record set by Eagle Grove from 1979-to 1986.

Humboldt has won nine of the last 10 team titles. Algona won in 2012 and St. Edmond was the team champion in 2008. The Gaels have finished as runner ups four times since 2009.

“Thanks to coach (Dean) Clasen we have had a great tradition of running in Humboldt,” Gidel said. “It’s because of him, Coach (Doug) VanPelt, and our middle school coach Mr. Orr that we’ve had so much success. We just have a lot of talented girls who work really hard.

“And I know we will all give it our best shot (Tuesday) to bring home number seven.”

On the boys side, Humboldt is looking for a repeat and thrid third title in the last four years.

Senior Quinton Orr will chase his first championship after placing second last year.

Humboldt has had the last three runner ups (Orr, Joseph Kunert and Ryan Courtney).

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