Cross country state qualifiers up next
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Area athletes will get their chance at the big show in Fort Dodge beginning on Wednesday, as state-qualifying meets start.
Teams in Class 4A and 3A will get the ball rolling this afternoon. Class 2A and 1A will aim to advance on Thursday.
Fort Dodge heads to Marshalltown, where the Dodgers will be joined by Des Moines Roosevelt, Iowa City Liberty, Linn-Mar, Norwalk, Urbandale, Waterloo United and Waukee Northwest.
The FDSH boys are led by senior Cael Hansen, who recently finished fourth at the Iowa Alliance Conference Meet in Des Moines. Hansen ran a 16:35, just off his best race of 16:31 in the previous event on his home track. Classmate Jayce Point was ninth at the IAC race.
For the Dodger girls, junior Linnie Pratt has been the top runner and was 10th at the IAC meet with her best time of the season at 21:39.9.
On Thursday, St. Edmond will head to Jewell. Area teams joining the Gaels are Bishop Garrigan, West Bend-Mallard and North Union.
The Gael girls are coming off a sixth-place showing at the North Central Conference Meet. Junior Naomi Valles was 14th, while Grace Schlegel – a sophomore – took 19th.
For the St. Edmond boys, senior Erik Larson placed 30th and classmate Aidan Reel was 31st.
Manson Northwest Webster will head to Panorama. The Cougar girls are ranked 10th in Class 1A. Newell-Fonda will also be in attendance.
East Sac County will run in Holstein.
In Class 3A, Algona, Humboldt and Webster City will compete at Clear Lake.
The Humboldt girls are paced by three ranked individuals. Junior Avery Fisher is ranked 12th individually, while freshman Jade Malo is 16th and Fisher's twin sister, Aubry, is 21st.
In Thursday's Class 2A races, Eagle Grove will be a host site. Area squads running with the Eagles are Clarion-Goldfield/Dows and Southeast Valley.
Emmetsburg, Pocahontas Area and South Central Calhoun head to Orange City.
All meets begin at 4 p.m. with girls first and boys to follow.
The state cross country meet will be Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31. Class 1A and 2A boys and girls will be on Friday, with 3A and 4A on Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course inside Kennedy Park.
Fort Dodge will be the event host for the 34th consecutive season this year.