CL cross country boys win Algona Invitational

[caption id="attachment_13217" align="alignleft" width="270"] Parker Pitzen makes his way through a big hole created by Ace Walton and Carter Garrington.[/caption]

The Algona invitational turned out to be a special night for the Clear Lake cross country team.  Individual personal bests and team success was the order of the night.

The varsity boys were the best of an 18-team field Monday, Sept. 28, which was full of programs that have successful traditions.   Clear Lake’s 81 points was 18 better than Class 4A Fort Dodge Public and 22 better than 4A Mason City.

The Clear Lake boys saw four of their runners break the 18-minute barrier, which is the first time in recent memory.

Clear Lake was led by the Faught brothers, Eric and Ryan, who ran shoulder to shoulder most of the race and finished seventh and eighth.  Eric finished seventh in a time of 17:15 and brother Ryan finished eighth in 17:16.  Not far behind was Sam Pedelty, who ran a career best at 17:33, finishing 12th.  Ike Branstad shaved :30 seconds off of his personal best and finished 21st in a time of 17:56.  Rounding out the scoring for the Lions was Spencer Orr, who ran a season best 18:28 and finished 38th.

Kaleb Froiland broke the 19-minute barrier for the first time this year with a time of 18:54, finishing 57th.  Not far behind him was Sam Jones in 65th place with a time of 19:03.

“The boys ran with a focus and determination as a team that I have not seen in the past four years,” said Coach Nick DiMarco.  “This is the biggest meet we have won in a long time and it is sure to give the boys confidence going forward.”

The JV boys finished third close behind Webster City and Humboldt.  The Lions were led by Grant Dieken who finished second in a time of 18:47.

“Grant works extremely hard and his success is much deserved,” said Coach DiMarco.

Jake Wessels finished fifth in 19:26.  Josh Howard was next in 12th place, running his best time of the year and finishing in 19:53.  Lewis Callaway finished 19th, inching closer to that 20-minute barrier with a time of 20:07.  Dylan Schuchard was the fifth scorer, finishing 34th in 20:57.

Also for the Lions:  Jonah Pedelty, 45th, 21:14; Gage Bendickson, 71st, 21:59; Jackson Hamlin, 103rd, 22:47; Zeke Branstad, 118th, 23:13; Bryan Hillyer, 136th, 23:42; Carson Meyer, 144th, 24:01; Noah Copney, 147th, 24:13; Joel Groeneweg, 148th, 24:16; Nick Currier, 149th, 24:18; Shane Furhman, 150th, 24:20; Hunter Gerhardt, 154th, 24:25; Daniel Tank, 155th, 24:28; Da

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vid Guetzlaff 157th, 24:51; and Tucker Phaiboun, 177th, 26:36.

Girls results

On the girls’ side, every one of the Clear Lake girls set personal bests and helped the team place 10th among 20 teams.

The Lions were led by Gretchen Jones, who finished 15th with a very fast time of 21:01.  Katelyn Moore was second for the Lady Lions in 45th place with a time of 22:44.  Coach DiMarco noted it was the first time Moore has broken the 23-minute barrier.

Erin O’Tool was the Lions’ third runner in 53rd place in a time of 23:07.  Bailey Larsen was 64th in a time of 23:25.  Rounding out the scoring for the Lions was Tali Tesar, placing 90th in 25:24.

In 98th place was Kara Reineke with a time of 26:03 and Nikki Tesar placed 108th in 27:21.

“The girls continue to fight to get healthy and our hope is that they will be full strength for the Conference meet next week,” said Coach DiMarco.

The JV girls were paced by Krystle Lu, who finished 41st in a career best time of 27:21.  Madison Brandt was next in 65th place with a time of 29:35.  Breauna Archer was 73rd in 30:37.  Ellie Biebesheimer was 79th in 31:47, Madison Gochanour was 80th in 32:03, Aliyah Bennett was 84th in 32:36, and Ivy Pruisman placed 86th in 32:47.

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