Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: The St. Edmond girls cross country team celebrates their title on Tuesday evening at the Humboldt Invitational. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

HUMBOLDT — Last week was homecoming for St. Edmond, and one of the school’s themes was “Hero Day.”

Gael cross country coach Mike Szalat regretted not dressing up as one of his runners, because of how impressed his high school students have handled the last three weeks.

“These kids are my heroes,” Szalat said. “Anyone who complains about kids in this generation are not seeing the kids I see. They are terrific students who are in honor society and active around our school and community.”

Szalat saw his squad’s hard work and effort pay off here on Tuesday, as the Gael girls captured the Humboldt Invitational title for the first time ever.

“I’m beaming. I’m on top of the world,” Szalat said. “I’m excited with the importance of these past three weeks. Three weeks ago, Tim (Flaherty) got sick and then passed away two weeks ago. Last week was Homecoming. These kids have been through some emotional weeks.

“They had some goals that they wanted to obtain. They work hard and don’t ask for breaks. We just communicate well with them. They work hard to go faster and push harder. It’s a special group.”

The fourth-ranked (Class 1A) Gaels came away with the championship in a field dominated by larger programs. St. Edmond finished with 62 points, ahead of runner-up Clear Lake (74). Manson Northwest Webster (119) was third, followed by Humboldt (130), and Algona (139).

The Gaels boys finished second, and both the boys and girls junior varsity teams from SEHS were runner-ups.

“They all come to work. With 31 kids, we don’t have to worry about one of them,” Szalat said. “This is the best we’ve ever done at Humboldt with all four groups.

“I’m just speechless.”

Algona junior Moriah Knapp was the individual gold medalist in 20:31, ahead of Iowa Falls-Alden’s Teah Miller (20:47).

The Gaels placed all counting runners in the Top-18, with sophomore Michaela Leiting turning in their top performance. Leiting grabbed sixth in the time of 21:52.

Sophomore Hannah Landwehr (22:37) was 12th, while freshman Ellie Knox (22:42) crossed in 13th. Senior Caroline Shelly (22:59) and sophomore Reese Lemberg (23:06) were 17th and 18th, respectively.

Senior Gracie Harvey (24:15) and junior Anna Kolacia (24:16) were 34th and 35th, respectively.

“Michaela set the tone,” Szalat said. “She is just a heck of a competitor, and the girls feed off of that. We talked about going out slow, but we tweaked that a little bit and set goals for the boys and girls and first mile laps. They just have that pack mentality, and are getting better as they believe in themselves.

“As a freshman, Ellie has run some great races. All of our girls have learn to run together. Our spread has gotten a lot better.”

Manson Northwest Webster had a great night as well, placing three girls in the Top-10. Senior Paige Condon (21:57) crossed the tape in seventh, while freshman Alyssa Richman (21:57) was eighth. Sophomore Preslie Oswald (21:59) took 10th.

North Union’s Jacey Welbig (21:58) was ninth.

Pocahontas Area placed two runners in the Top-20. Kaitlynn Schuler (22:26) was 11th and Akaysa Diutscher (22:53) was 15th. Webster City’s Emma Peck (22:57) was 16th. Huumboldt’s top finish came from Joslyn Orr (23:19) was 21st.

Fort Dodge freshman Paige Lewis had the top finish for the Dodgers in 74th place.

The Dodgers and Gaels are back in action on Monday at the Algona Invitational.

GIRLS TEAM STANDINGS

1. St. Edmond 62; 2. Clear Lake 74; 3. Manson Northwest Webster 119; 4. Humboldt 130; 5. Algona 139; 6. Iowa Falls-Alden 143; 7. Pocahontas Area 143; 8. West Hancock 212; 9. Boone 233; 10. Emmetsburg 246; 11. Webster City 247; 12. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 352; 13. Fort Dodge 367.