READY TO RUN
Gael girls back at state meet
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St. Edmond senior cross country runners Lily Eslick and Alex Leiting put their faith in the hands of coaches Mike Szalat and CJ Tracy this fall.
As key returning runners for a team looking to get back to state, Eslick and Leiting relied on the vision, passion and expertise of the two.
And it paid off.
The Gaels punched their ticket to the Class 1A meet by finishing second at a qualifier. They will take to the state course on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in front of a large crowd of supporters inside Kennedy Park at Lakeside Golf Course.
"Each time you make it to state, it's a fun and exciting opportunity," Szalat said. "But that sentiment is never more true than now, after not making it for a few years. These girls all get to experience the state atmosphere and everything that has gone into this week for the first time.
"We've told them as coaches just to take it all in and make as many memories as possible while also preparing them to run as hard as they can Saturday."
Joining Eslick and Leiting will be Greenlee Crimmins, Betsy Gruver, Mae Pokorny, Grace Schlegel and Naomi Valles. Adelyn Bangert will be the alternate.
"We are so lucky to have coaches that both push us to become the best runners we can be while also having so much experience in the state atmosphere," Leiting said. "They know what it takes to get to this point and help us reach that goal.
"Not only do we have great coaches, but the motivation and passion the girls on our team have is truly remarkable and admirable. They are some of the most driven people I know.
Valles, a junior, was a runner-up at the qualifier, as Schlegel, a sophomore, placed fifth. Pokorny, another sophomore, was 16th, as St. Edmond had all seven runners inside of the Top-52.
"We have put in a lot of hard work, not only at practice, but at summer running, as well," Eslick said. "Cross country is a very positive sport and we couldn't have done this without all of the support from each other, Coach Szalat and Coach Tracy."
Leiting, who was recently named an all-state cheerleader, was an alternate the last time the Gael girls qualified for state in 2023. St. Edmond finished seventh overall that year, with Leiting's sister, Michaela Leiting, placing 43rd to lead the team.
"I am most looking forward to running alongside my teammates in such a unique atmosphere one last time," Leiting said. "Being able to share such an incredible experience with the other girls is something I look forward to and will always cherish."
Eslick echoed those thoughts, saying, "The experience of running with some of the best runners in the state and having fun with my teammates is what I am most looking forward to."
St. Edmond's schedule has helped prepare them for this meet. Along with running at the North Central Conference championships against several 3A programs, the Gaels competed at the Fort Dodge Invitational, which took place on the state course and with many of the best runners from all 4A.
"We don't want them to do anything different than they have this season," Szalat said. "We've got paces set out for them that we'll just try to hit.
"These girls have had a great season and a wonderful week of practice, so I'm excited to see what they can do on Saturday."