Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Avery Fisher of Humboldt competes at the NCC meet in Algona on Tuesday. Fisher placed 2nd overall for the Wildcats.

ALGONA — The Humboldt girls cross country squad added a North Central Conference title to their glossy 2025 ledger here on Tuesday, capturing their fifth team championship this season.

Four runners placed in the Top-10 for the balanced Wildcats, who finished with 44 points to prevail at River Road Golf Club. Clear Lake (51) was second, followed by St. Edmond (85).

Sophomore Avery Fisher, ranked 19th individually in Class 3A, was the meet runner-up with a time of 19:43.04. Senior teammate Brynn Malo, rated 25th, was right behind Fisher in third at 19:56.93, and Fisher’s twin sister — Aubry — took fourth in 20:18.62.

Junior Macey Rodgers (9th in 21:34.27) also shined for Humboldt, which has clinched crowns at Estherville-Lincoln Central, Clear Lake, Eagle Grove and its own invite before the NCC race.

The Gaels continued their recent surge, with freshman Grace Schlegel taking 7th to medal with a season-best time of 21:18.24. Sophomore Naomi Valles crossed 12th in 22:08.99 — also her best so far in 2025.

“Grace is really learning how to pace herself and strategically approach these races,” SEHS head coach Mike Szalat said. “She’s trusting herself and her training — both physically and mentally.

“It’s funny, because she is all smiles all day long. But she’s such a tough competitor. Grace is a really talented, well-rounded athlete who knows how to push herself and has high expectations. You can’t coach that. She works very hard to keep getting better.”

Szalat sees a group that “has really started to turn a corner” recently, admitting, “I had questioned myself some as to whether or not I was preparing them the right way.”

“They got me out of my funk, and I want to thank them for that,” Szalat said. “Compared to where we were the last time we competed in Algona (on Sept. 29), I’m really proud of how far they’ve come. Not just Grace, but Naomi, Lily (Eslick), Alex (Leiting), Greenlee (Crimmins)…everyone.”

Eslick was 21st in 23:17.54. Leiting (23:35.95) was 23rd and Crimmins (23:50.69) closed in 26th.

Betsy Gruver (29th, 24:27.13) and Adelyn Bangert (42nd, 25:28.06) rounded out the St. Edmond scorecard.

Algona’s Mara Davis (5th in 20:58.22) and Izzy Grossoeheme of Webster City (6th in 21:07.99) both medaled from the area.

Saylor Schmitt of Clear Lake (19:40.43) was the meet champ.

The Gaels return to action on Thursday, Oct. 23, in a state-qualifying meet at a site to be determined.

NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE MEET

(Tuesday’s results, at Algona)

Team Standings — 1. Humboldt, 44; 2. Clear Lake, 51; 3. St. Edmond, 85; 4. Iowa Falls-Alden, 101; 5. Algona, 117; 6. Webster City, 147; 7. Charles City, 158.

Individual Leaders — 1. Saylor Schmitt, Clear Lake, 19:40.43; 2. Avery Fisher, Humboldt, 19:43.04; 3. Brynn Malo, Humboldt, 19:56.93; 4. Aubry Fisher, Humboldt, 20:18.62; 5. Mara Davis, Algona, 20:58.22; 6. Izzy Grossoehme, Webster City, 21:07.99; 7. Grace Schlegel, St. Edmond, 21:18.24; 8. Piper Smith, Iowa Falls-Alden, 21:23.75; 9. Macey Rodgers, Humboldt, 21:34.27; 10. MacKenzy Valley, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 21:43.11.

St. Edmdond — 7. Schlegel; 12. Naomi Valles, 22:08.99; 21. Lily Eslick, 23:17.54; 23. Alex Leiting, 23:35.95; 26. Greenlee Crimmins, 23:50.69; 29. Betsy Gruver, 24:27.13; 42. Adelyn Bangert, 25:28.06.