PINCH-ME MOMENT
Dodger senior Hansen saves best for last
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It didn't feel real initially for Cael Hansen.
Like a dream. Something that didn’t seem possible – especially a year ago.
After crossing the finish line at a qualifying meet in Marshalltown and meeting with his coaches, family and friends, Hansen knew what once seemed so far away was now in his hands.
The Fort Dodge senior was headed to the state cross country meet.
"It didn't really feel real -- like it wasn't tangible until after the meet," Hansen said. "It was a great feeling, being able to qualify as an individual and being my second time at a state event (Hansen was a relay qualifier on the Dodger track squad).
"Being able to qualify was a big deal for me."
Now, Hansen is ready to make the most of his opportunity on Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course inside Kennedy Park.
"I didn't think I had a chance (to qualify for state) until our home meet (earlier this month)," Hansen said. "I bombed the week before at Algona. But things changed when I was prescribed an inhaler. My breathing was 10 times better and I was able to drop 15 seconds from there, which is a lot."
Hansen became the first Dodger in 10 years to reach the state field, placing 11th individually with a career-best time of 16:28.4 at the qualifier. Ryan Wagner was the last FDSH state participant in 2016.
"It's a huge accomplishment for him," Dodger head coach Austin Read said. "He is driven and motivated. He made it through the season without getting injured, which had been so disheartening in the past when he had been unable to compete. He’s been very steady (this fall).
"He has such a bright future going into Iowa Central. He will do incredible things. He's a special kid and athlete. I'm just happy I was able to be along for the ride, watching him grow and develop."
Through a season-ending injury early in 2025, all the hard work and the new-found lung capacity, Hansen had done what he set out to achieve.
"Throughout my running and training, I've not trusted myself to not get injured," Hansen said. "I feel I've held back a little (in the past) and didn't give it my all for fear of (another) injury."
Hansen spent his junior campaign on the sidelines with a persistent lower-leg problem. Not only did the situation set him back physically, but he struggled mentally to remain positive and focused on the big picture.
"Coming out of (last) spring, on the running side of things, we wanted to keep his volume low. We started the summer with 30 miles a week, then crept our way up," Read said. "We started the season with 40-ish miles a week, which is good for a runner with his experience.
"By the time we got to Algona, we were at 53, which we thought was the best for him."
Read saw the potential in Hansen's abilities and knew that he had the chance to be running at Lakeside by the end of October.
"We kept reassuring him that things we were doing are proven to help, then gradually, we would introduce (the next level of) intensity," Read said. "We progressed from there.
"Strength training was also big for him, as well as sharpening his mentality. He lifted on his own and was able to keep that up."
The season started strong for Hansen and the Dodgers with a team championship at the Southeast Valley Invitational.
"Getting the team win that early in the season (in Gowrie) was a huge confidence boost," Hansen said. "I was worried that I was going to peak too early in the season and fall off later, but I trusted my training."
In his final season as a high school runner, Hansen didn't know what the conclusion would hold.
"I didn't have a lot of expectations coming into (the season)," Hansen said. "I was worried about getting shin splints again. I just wasn't sure."
There was also an adjustment in coaching, as Hanson's final season would be under first-year coach Read – a former Dodger runner and assistant under Joe Jackson.
"Coach Read has been committed to helping me get where I need to be," Hansen said. "He’s out there trying to make everyone better.
"I fully trust his methods."
Read was on Fort Dodge’s last qualifying squad in 2014.
The Class 4A state meet is Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course inside Kennedy Park. Fort Dodge is the host for the 34th consecutive year.
The 4A boys race is at 2:45 p.m.