Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Senior Ryan Madden of Fort Dodge runs at Humboldt earlier this season.

Once again, the Fort Dodge Invitational will provide many of the best runners an early look at the state cross country course.

Beginning at 4:55 p.m. with the girls varsity race, 26 other programs will join the host Dodgers, including St. Edmond and Manson Northwest Webster.

Completing the field will be some of the elite runners in the state from Adel-ADM, Ames, Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial, Ballard, Sioux City Heelan, Carlisle, Dallas Center-Grimes, Des Moines Roosevelt, West Des Moines Dowling, Glenwood, Indianola, Johnston, Lewis Central, Mason City, Newton, Norwalk, Sioux City East, Sioux City North, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, West Des Moines Valley, Waukee and Waukee Northwest.

In the latest rankings, Dowling is the top boys team in Class 4A, with Norwalk second, Johnston third and Waukee Northwest sixth. Eight other 4A teams are in the Top-20, four rated 3A teams are in the field and the Gaels are eighth in 1A.

On the girls side, Valley is fourth in 4A to lead the way for Thursday’s field. Ankeny Centennial is fifth, Johnston sixth, Roosevelt seventh, Ames eighth and Waukee ninth. Seven more from the 4A Top-20 are entered, along with three in 3A and St. Edmond, which is eighth in 1A.

Among those set to race include Valley’s Addison Dorenkamp, who is ranked No. 1 in 4A, along with second-rated Olivia Verde of Johnston. Also, Ballard’s star senior Paityn Noe, who went 17:23.60 in Webster City earlier this year, will be in action.

Dorenkamp was the 4A state champion here a year ago, with Verde placing fourth. Noe claimed the 3A title as the Bombers finished second overall.

Dowling’s Jackson Heidesch is the top-ranked 4A boys runner, as the Maroons boast three more in the Top-16. The defending state champion helped Dowling earn the team title as well.

Dallas Center-Grimes won the 3A team race last fall.

Manson Northwest Webster’s Alyssa Richman, a sophomore, has one of the top times in the girls field. Earlier this year, Richman set a new MNW school record in Alta, clocking a 19:26 to best the previous mark set by former Cougar teammate Maddie Moline.

Ames is the defending FDSH Invite girls team champ. Dorenkamp won the individual race, Sioux City North claimed the boys crown in 2021, and Aidan Ramsey of Dallas Center-Grimes the boys race.

Ramsey, also a state champion in 2021, now competes for Drake University.