-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Brynn Malo of Humboldt (left) passes Humboldt Avery Fisher in the 3A girls 5k run on Friday at Lakeside Golf Course

While one chapter closed, two others were written here Friday at the state cross country meet by Humboldt.

Brynn Malo took one final run as a Wildcat while teammates Avery Fisher and Aubry Fisher made their state debuts inside Kennedy Park at Lakeside Golf Course.

All three finished in the Top-50 of the Class 3A race, led by Avery Fisher’s 35th. Malo finished 41st overall and Aubry Fisher was 47th.

For Malo, this was her third and final time competing at state, as the senior went out with a time of 19:51. She became one of just eight athletes ever from the program to qualify at least three times individually for state.

“It was a great day for Humboldt cross country,” Wildcat head coach Joel Hoogland said. “All three ladies ran so well. They got out in the Top-60 and really moved up from there. I told them before the race that they all earned the trip to be there and deserved their spot on the line. The results showed that.

“Brynn has left her mark on the Humboldt cross country history book. She has been a great leader and role model for the younger athletes and for the next wave of cross country runners to come through. She will be greatly missed.”

Avery Fisher, a sophomore ranked 26th coming into state, posted a time of 19:44 while twin Aubry Fisher went 19:57.

“Avery and Aubry are going to be pillars for the next couple of years,” Hoogland said. “Them being on the team really encouraged the other girls to take that next step, too. Getting this (state) experience will only help them in the future as they build for the next season.

“The sky is really the limit for them. They put in big miles this year and I know they will continue to do that moving forward. Having Brynn with them to show the way has only helped them, and they’ll take the torch to be the leaders next year.”

The trio led Humboldt to a North Central Conference team title earlier this fall.

“My hope is seeing the results like this inspires the next group of runners for our program,” Hoogland said. “I hope we have kids that say, ‘I want to run at the state meet like those three did.’ I couldn’t pick a better three role models for our program and our school.

“They are and will continue to be amazing ambassadors for our school.”

Algona’s Gavin Weber, ranked eighth, placed 12th overall in 3A, as the senior clocked a time of 16:12. Southeast Valley senior Lincoln Akins was 75th in 2A with a time of 17:57.