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Boys race draws elite competition

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Gavin Weber of Algona works his way toward the finish line on Monday. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

ALGONA — The Algona Invitational boys race showcased three Top-5 runners in the state on Monday.

Spirit Lake (Class 2A) brought second-ranked Brandon Hughes and fifth-rated Dietrich Dirks into the field.

St. Edmond’s Anthony Valles, meanwhile, is currently fourth in Class 1A.

Hughes captured the invitational title, breaking under 17 minutes at 16:52. Dirks was runner up (17:09.20), with Valles (17:17.20) taking the bronze.

“In other meets, up until now with the exception of Webster City, we got out and ran with the lead with Anthony,” said SEHS head coach Mike Szalat. “We didn’t feel that was the strategy to go with (on Monday) with the kids from Spirit Lake. We wanted to go out about a mile and a quarter and latch on to someone.

“There was a five second gap with Hughes, so he stayed with Dirks. At about 800 (left), Dirks got a two second lead and that’s how it ended up. The positive we got was that Anthony can run both those ways. We will probably do the same thing next Thursday with the 4A field (at Fort Dodge).”

No. 10 (2A) Forest City (69) edged No. 5 Okoboji (71) for the team crown. Second-rated Spirit Lake (97) was third.

The ninth-ranked (1A) Gaels (209) were ninth as the only small school in the field. Host Algona (173) took seventh.

“It was a tough night to run (weather-wise),” Szalat said. “I know the kids are frustrated, but I’m not. Everyone is entitled to feel like they had a bad meet. It just shows how much they are.”

Levi Odor-Westrum (18:46.60) was 32nd and Liam Shannon (18:52.20) took 34th behind Valles.

Jonah Carlson (20:16.20) grabbed 66th, and Erik Larson (20:31.70) was 74th for the Gaels.

“Levi ran a good race and was our No. 2 for us for the second week in a row,” Szalat said. “Liam has been battling through an injury, but we are encouraged he is coming through that. Jonah had a great night and was our fourth guy for the first time. Erik was our fifth.”

Algona’s Gavin Weber (17:41) placed sixth in the individual race.

Fort Dodge’s Aidan Recker (18:09) turned in Top-20 performance, placing 18th for the Dodgers.

“Time-wise, I think everyone struggled a little because of the heat and the wind gusts,” said FDSH head coach Joe Jackson. “Aidan and Cael (Hansen) both ran hard and placed well.”

Hansen (18:50.10) was next in line for the Dodgers in the 33rd position. Jayce Point (19:30.80) was 47th, Elijah Lawrence (20:16.90) 67th and Jaxson Lowrey-Jones (20:22.60) 76th for Fort Dodge.

Henry Kramer (19:15.90) was the top runner for Humboldt in the 43rd spot. Justin Callahan (18:41.40) was the top Webster City performer in 28th.

The Dodgers and Gaels are both back in action next Thursday when they run in the Fort Dodge Invitational at Lakeside.

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