Many of the top cross country teams and runners will get an early look at the state cross country course when they compete here on Thursday at the Fort Dodge Invitational.

Action begins with middle school races at 4 p.m. inside Kennedy Park at Lakeside Golf Course. The girls varsity event is set for a 5:25 p.m. start while boys hit the course at 5:55 p.m.

Joining the host Dodgers will be St. Edmond, Manson Northwest Webster, ADM, Ames, Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial, Ballard, Bishop Heelan, Carlisle, Council Bluffs Jefferson, Dallas Center-Grimes, Des Moines Roosevelt, Dowling Catholic, Indianola, Johnston, Lewis Central, Mason City, Newton, Norwalk, Sioux City East, Sioux City North, Southeast Polk, Unity Christian, Urbandale, Valley, Waukee and Waukee Northwest.

The boys race will feature five Top-10 teams in Class 4A led by No. 1 Indianola while the girls field has six from the 4A Top-10 including second-ranked Johnston and No. 3 Waukee Northwest.

Some of the top ranked boys include No. 3 (4A) Jack Crossland of Johnston, seventh-ranked (4A) Reed Robbins from Indianola and No. 8 (4A) Teegan Kralik of Norwalk.

For the girls, Piper Messerly of Dallas Center-Grimes is third in 4A while teammate Tenley Heidgerken is sixth. Ankeny Centennial’s Ellie Blevins (seventh) and Laney Sundet (10th) join them in the 4A Top-10 along with Johnston’s Alyx Woodley, who is eighth.

Unity Christian’s Katie Young is ranked fifth in 2A.

Dowling looks to defend its title on the boys side, as Kralik is the highest returning finisher after taking fourth last year. Crossland was fifth, finishing just behind him.

St. Edmond’s Anthony Valles was 33rd overall a year ago in the 4A and 3A dominated field of runners. Manson Northwest Webster’s Thatcher Oswald placed 83rd.

Messerly is the defending race champion, completing the course in 18:11 last year. Johnson took home top team honors behind Woodley, who was third overall.