Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Senior Gavin Weber of Algona celebrates after crossing the finish line in first place at the North Central Conference meet on Tuesday at Algona.

ALGONA — Gavin Weber put on one more show for his home fans here on Tuesday at the North Central Conference boys cross country meet.

The Algona senior dominated in his final race at River Road Golf Club, running a 16:02.55 to help the Bulldogs take second place in the final team standings.

Weber, ranked fifth in Class 3A, finished just three seconds off of his personal-best time set here a little over two weeks ago. Webster City’s Justin Callahan (17:22.47) was second.

Clear Lake (41 points) earned the overall championship, followed by Algona (55), Webster City (93) and St. Edmond (117).

Gael senior Anthony Valles continued to work his way back from a mid-season injury. Valles was seventh with a time of 17:49.88 on a damp, cool evening of action.

“Anthony is pain-free now, but he’s still rounding into form after missing a decent chunk of training and preparation,” SEHS head coach Mike Szalat said. “Actually, it’s pretty remarkable he’s at this point given how much time he’d lost. He still got out a little quick, like he did (last Thursday) at Fort Dodge, but he looked more like his old self (on Tuesday).

“Anthony is a student of the sport. He gets it and he understands what it takes. And as a coach, you’d rather have to have a kid come back (from being sidelined) and have to slow down some than the other way around. He’ll have some time now to prepare (for the state-qualifying meet) and get back into the physical and mental rhythm he’s looking for.”

Junior Erik Larson was 20th for St. Edmond in 19:04.46. Senior Jonah Carlson (24th, 19:14.35) was next in line.

Freshmen Andrew Barwin (32nd, 19:28.38) and Gordon Seeden (34th, 19:31.08) both had season-best marks for the Gaels.

“We had 21 total kids run (between the boys and girls races), and had seven PRs and seven more season bests,” Szalat said. “On the boys side, we took four total minutes off our Top-5 times from the last time we were (in Algona, Sept. 29). That’s really good and a positive step for sure.”

Other area medalists included Algona’s Brooks Morgan (6th in 17:45.82), Henry Kramer of Humboldt (8th in 17:53.29) and Algona’s Brecki Borchardt (10th in 18:08.27).

After Callahan, Aiden Wardell (17th in 18:39.73) and Jack Barner (18th in 18:52.49) had the next-best efforts for the Lynx.

St. Edmond will compete on Thursday, Oct. 23, in a 1A state-qualifying meet at a site to be determined.

NCC BOYS CROSS COUNTRY MEET

(Tuesday’s results, at Algona)

Team Standings — 1. Clear Lake, 41; 2. Algona, 55; 3. Webster City, 93; 4. St. Edmond, 117; 5. Charles City, 125; 6. Iowa Falls-Alden, 127; 7. Humboldt, 192; 8. Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 195.

Individual Leaders — 1. Gavin Weber, Algona, 16:02.55; 2. Justin Callahan, Webster City, 17:22.47; 3. Andrew Herrin, Iowa Falls-Alden, 17:29.99; 4. Gavin Roske, Clear Lake, 17:33.71; 5. John Amos, Clear Lake, 17:42.34; 6. Brooks Morgan, Algona, 17:45.82; 7. Anthony Valles, St. Edmond, 17:49.88; 8. Henry Kramer, Humboldt, 17:53.29; 9. Tate Fever, Clear Lake, 17:58.40; 10. Brecki Borchardt, Algona, 18:08.27.

St. Edmond — 7. Valles; 20. Erik Larson, 19:04.46; 24. Jonah Carlson, 19:14.35; 32. Andrew Barwin, 19:28.38; 34. Gordon Seeden, 19:31.08; 53. Ethan Cibert, 21:49.01; 55. Drew Horrell, 23:13.24.