Strong nucleus returns for Gael CC
Messenger photos by Britt Kudla: Returning letterwinners for the St. Edmond girls cross country team are, left to right, Andee Barwin, Ellie Knox, Anna Kolacia, Michaela Leiting and Hannah Landwehr.
Mike Szalat never knows what the summer months will bring in preparation for the cross country season.
The St. Edmond head coach, now in his 24th year at the helm, has been through it all and witnessed a little of everything. Well aware that both of his Gael squads will have high ceilings in 2022, Szalat was hopeful his boys and girls runners would put in the miles in preparation for the upcoming campaign.
“Sometimes you don’t get a great (offseason) turnout, and you have to start with (lower expectations) until they build up their strength and endurance,” Szalat said. “Given what we knew we had coming back, our expectation was to be somewhat ahead of schedule starting on the first day of practice. There are no guarantees, though.
“Fortunately, we had a terrific (collective) effort. The kids have done the work. That’s the good news.”
The bad? While Szalat’s current athletes are very committed both to the program and each other, there are only 12 Gaels on the boys roster and just eight on the girls side.
—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Returning letterwinners for the St. Edmond boys cross country team are, left to right, Liam Shannon, Aaron Lursen and Thomas Cosgrove.
“I’d like to have better numbers, of course, but I also know the kids we have are going to hold themselves accountable,” Szalat said. “They’re ready to go. (Assistant coach) Monica (Shelly) and I feel really good about where we’re at and (the pace) we need to set from here on out to get to where we need to be with the kids we have.”
It will be hard to top the banner 2021 campaign for the program, but St. Edmond seems ready and willing to try. The Gael girls qualified for state in an eighth consecutive season and placed an all-time school best third in Class 1A, also capturing the North Central Conference championship. The SEHS boys reached state for a second straight year and earned a Top-10 slot as the host program at Lakeside.
“What past is past, though,” Szalat said. “That’s the special thing about sports: every season brings different and unique challenges. There’s always a new story.”
Both Gael teams are ranked fourth in the preseason by the IATC. The girls return top runners and ’21 state participants Michaela Leiting, Hannah Landwehr, Ellie Knox and Anna Kolacia; the boys welcome district champ and Top-20 state performer Aaron Lursen back for his senior campaign, as well as Liam Shannon and Thomas Cosgrove.
“The girls have just been going about their business,” Szalat said. I guess when you have this many runners back after getting third at state (last fall), you’re not going to sneak up on anyone. The secret’s out, so to speak. So (the lofty expectations) just come with the territory.
“We’re not there yet (on the boys side), but we do appreciate the (preseason recognition). I suppose to a certain extent, maybe our (prior) track record plays a role in (a Top-5 ranking). It’s a good opportunity to remind the current kids of the history of our program, and let it serve as a motivating factor to keep the tradition going. But we also know we have to let our times and our performances do the talking for us. That’s ultimately all that matters — not where you’re ranked in August, but how much improving you’ve done by the time conference, districts and state roll around.”
Leiting, a junior, was 23rd in the 1A race last year with a time of 20:49. Landwehr (55th, 21:43), Knox (57th, 21:45) and Kolacia followed.
Kolacia and Klara Baker are the only seniors for the girls. Landwehr is a junior; Knox a sophomore. Andee Barwin, another junior, was a state participant two seasons ago and is another returning letterwinner.
Szalat is also anticipating an immediate push from freshman Anna Lursen. Sophomore Gracie Rial rounds out the roster.
“We don’t have much depth, but there’s a lot of talent on the current roster,” Szalat said. “I really like the (collective) potential of the kids we have.”
Aaron Lursen clocked a personal-best time of 17:18 at state to cap a breakthrough junior season. Even though the Gaels graduated three senior stalwarts, Szalat likes being able to build around Lursen; Shannon, a sophomore who was 69th at state in 2021 (18:11); and Cosgrove (116th, 19:06). He also sees tremendous potential in junior Sam Mericle.
“These kids bust their tails,” Szalat said. “We’re looking forward to Thursday (at Southeast Valley) and next Monday (at Webster City).”
Because there’s only one race per gender in Gowrie, Szalat confirmed the event will be used as a time trial of sorts to help sort the official varsity lineup moving forward.
2022 ST. EDMOND CROSS COUNTRY
Boys Roster
Seniors — Aaron Lursen, Carter Rial, Joe Touney, Casten Wacholtz.
Juniors — Thomas Cosgrove, Sam Mericle, Trey Wilkins.
Sophomores — Liam Shannon, Abram Larson.
Freshmen — Jonah Carlson, Anthony Valles.
Girls Roster
Seniors — Anna Kolacia, Klara Baker.
Juniors — Michaela Leiting, Hannah Landwehr, Andee Barwin.
Sophomores — Ellie Knox, Gracie Rial.
Freshman — Anna Lursen.
Schedule
Aug. 25 — at Southeast Valley; 29 — at Webster City.
Sept. 10 — at Ridge View; 19 — at Humboldt; 26 — at Algona.
Oct. 6 — Fort Dodge Invitational; 11 — at North Central Conference meet in Humboldt; 20 — co-ed district meet; 28 — state meet at Lakeside.
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- Messenger photos by Britt Kudla: Returning letterwinners for the St. Edmond girls cross country team are, left to right, Andee Barwin, Ellie Knox, Anna Kolacia, Michaela Leiting and Hannah Landwehr.
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- —Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Returning letterwinners for the St. Edmond boys cross country team are, left to right, Liam Shannon, Aaron Lursen and Thomas Cosgrove.