Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Returning letterwinners for the Fort Dodge girls cross country squad in 2025 are (left to right) Linnie Pratt, Laila Grantham, Saiya Noborikawa and Madison Carmody.

Joe Jackson will be looking for continual improvement as the main goal for a young Fort Dodge girls cross country team.

Small in overall numbers, Jackson still sees the potential of having all of his competitors rounding into form as the 2025 season progresses.

The Dodgers have no seniors. Returning letterwinners include juniors Saiya Noborikawa and Madison Carmody, as well as sophomores Linnie Pratt and Laila Grantham. All four have varsity experience.

“We are two weeks in and they are working hard and having a good time,” Jackson said. “They’re making steady progress.

“We have the potential to have three or even four girls get under that 23-minute mark.”

As a freshman, Pratt turned in a personal-best time of 21:28 at a state-qualifying meet in Marshalltown — the program’s best in eight years. She struggled with a hip injury during the regular season.

“Linnie has been working hard,” Jackson said. “She came in after the softball season wrapped up. It was tough to get (the offseason) miles in because of that this summer, but I’m looking forward to seeing her get going.

“She’s faster and has gotten a lot stronger as an athlete, playing softball and basketball and lifting weights.”

Noborikawa had a personal-best time of 23:02 last season. Grantham turned in a 23:11.

Carmody was also a regular contributor as a sophomore in 2024.

“Laila played soccer in the spring with (the) Chaos (travel team) and kept in shape,” Jacskon said. “Both Laila and Saiya have been working hard and improving quickly.

“Saiya put in a lot of miles and is right there as well.”

Junior Reina Lacina and sophomores Aileah Geopfert and Mariah Gonzalez round out the roster.

“Madison is a hard worker and is very aware of what the team needs, making sure everything is getting done and setting a good example,” Jackson said. “Rey (Lacina) ran as a freshman and is working hard to improve. Mariah and Aileah are also getting there.”

First action for the Dodgers will be on Thursday when they travel to Gowrie to run in the Southeast Valley meet.

The Dodgers host the Fort Dodge Invitational on Oct. 9.

2025 FORT DODGE GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Roster

Juniors — Saiya Noborikawa, Reina Lacina, Madison Carmody.

Sophomores — Linnie Pratt, Laila Grantham, Mariah Gonzalez, Aileah Geopfert.

Schedule

Aug. 28 — at Southeast Valley; Sept. 2 — at Webster City; 11 — at Marshalltown; 16 — at Storm Lake; 23 — at Mason City; 29 — at Algona.

Oct. 9 — Fort Dodge Invitational; 15 — Alliance Conference Meet in Ottumwa.