-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Quinton Orr of Humboldt compete in the boys 5k run during Class 3A Districts on Thursday at Sheldon Park

HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt boys cross country team will be back at the state meet.

The Wildcats secured a berth with a third place showing on their home course. The Wildcats accumulated 93 team points. Gilbert (66) ran away with the team title and Waverly-Shell Rock (85) was runner up.

“It was one of those things, where we knew it was a strong possibility (of qualifying),” said Humboldt head coach Dean Classen. “We have ran against Gilbert, so we knew how we stacked up against them. Waverly was kind of a surprise, but the gap between us and fourth was about 30 points, so we knew we could be in the mix for second.”

Junior Quinton Orr claimed the district title in a time of 16:29 and Eric Wittrock was fifth in a time of 17:12.

“Quinton has been driven all year and has a good handle on what he wants to accomplish,” Classen said. “He is hitting state with a plan and has had significant time drop.

“He has been running low 17’s, so to go sub 17 was great.”

Humboldt senior Bryce Gidel earned her fourth state trip and will look for her third state medal, after a sixth place showing in a time of 19:44.

“Bryce is starting to get some things squared around and run better,” Classen said. “She accomplished an incredible goal last week and to be in the Top-15, means she will be able to run again.”

Devon Coon reached the Top-15 as well, coming in 13th with a time of 17:33. Earning counting times for the Wildcats were Trevor Jacobson (13th in 18:10) and Carter Theesfeld (46th in 18:47).

“Eric and Devon have been in are top-three all year long,” Classen said. “Trevor was much better and with his allergies, this cool weather was perfect for him. Carter has been getting stronger and stronger as well.

“Nolan is coming off an illness and looked better. For Jackson to run under 20 was pretty good. I’m really happy with our performance. We have to close the gaps, but we are there and the pressure is off.”

Also running were Nolan Jergens (52nd in 19:06) and Jackson Chambers (70th in 19:49).

Webster City’s Jacob Wilson (17:57) finished 20th.

Koester, Friedl advance to state for Eagles

DIKE — Eagle Grove’s will have two representatives at the state cross country meet next week.

Jon Koester advanced with a seventh place showing in a time of 17:10 in their Class 2A meet. The Eagles finished eighth as a team.

Monticello was the team champion. South Hardin and Grundy Center advanced as well. Union’s Lake Lebahn (16:22) was the individual champion and South Hamilton’s Quinton Grove (16:24) was the runner up.

For the Eagle girls, junior Lea Friedl moved on with a 15th-place showing in a time of 21:10. Springville-CC’s Emily Staal (18:10) was the champion.

Monticello, Jesup and Dike-New Hartford advanced as teams.

E-Hawk girls finish second

PANORAMA — The Emmetsburg girls punched a state tournament appearance with a runner up showing.

The E-Hawks finished with 92 team points. Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center (61) was the team champion, while Chariton (95) also moved on.

The E-Hawks had all five counting runners in the Top-25.

Gabrielle Janssen (21:39) was 12th and Isabel Doyle (22:11) was 13th. Raven Brown (22:43) was 19th, Hailey Foxhoven (23:00) was 23rd, followed by Isabella Householder (23:15) in 25th. Taylor Steinkamp (23:22) and Allison Fischer (24:02) finished 27th and 35th respectively.

STATE CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE

Saturday, Nov. 2

11 a.m. Girls 4A

11:30 a.m. Boys 4A

Noon Girls 3A

12:20 p.m. Awards Ceremony 4A

12:30 p.m. Boys 3A

1 p.m. Girls 2A

1:20 p.m. Awards Ceremony 3A

1:30 p.m. Boys 2A

2 p.m. Girls 1A

2:20 p.m. Awards Ceremony 2A

2:30 p.m. Boys 1A

3 p.m. Awards Ceremony 1A