Class 4A Team Titles Go Down To the Wire

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The Class 4A team titles provided the most drama at the Iowa state cross country championships at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge on Saturday. In the boys race, Dowling Catholic of West Des Moines edged out Hempstead of Dubuque, 72-73. Led by junior Sam Hall’s fourth-place finish (15:48), Dowling Catholic placed four runners in the top 18. Tim Sindt of Ankeny repeated as the 4A champ (15:36).

In the girls 4A race, Southeast Polk defeated defending champion Johnston, 79-80. Sophomore Mattison Plummer led the way for Southeast with a second place finish in 18:28. Sophomore Micah Poellet of Linn-Mar won the 4A title in 18:03.

In 3A action, senior Cody Mertens of Mount Pleasant won the race in 16:03. Gilbert repeated as state champs, going 5-6, with four in the top 21.

Wahlert Catholic tallied 56 points, placing three in the top 15 to repeat as 3A champs. Glenwood senior Janette Schraft finished first, running 18:22.

Senior Reece Smith of Garner-Hayfield-Ventura clocked 16 minutes to win the 2A boys individual title. Tipton won the boys 2A title with 72 points, sophomore Caleb Shumaker was the top finisher, capturing fourth overall (16:33).

After winning its first state title last fall, Mid-Prairie followed up by defending the 2A crown, scoring 89 points. Junior Marie Hostetler led the way for her team, winning her second straight title, clocking 18:02, which was the fastest time of the day for any girl.

In 1A, senior Sean McDermott led Madrid to a team title as he won the race in 16:16. In the girls race, Logan-Magnolia easily won the 1A team crown with 66 points, as four runners were all in the top 21. Individually, senior Emma Lucas of Bedford won in 18:41.

Team Champions

4A Boys - Dowling Catholic 72 points

4A Girls - Southeast Polk 79 points

3A Boys - Gilbert 65 points

3A Girls - Dubuque Wahlert 56 points

2A Boys - Tipton 72 points

2A Girls - Mid-Prairie 89 points

1A Boys - Madrid 63 points

1A Girls - Logan-Magnolia 66 points