Youth and experience will be key to cross country success

(Above Left) Members of the 2020 Clear Lake boys cross country team include front row (L-R): Joe Faber, Jack Crane, Justin Wright, Andrew Mixdorf, Easton Goeman, Ethan Zickefoose.  Back row (L-R):  Elijah Mock, Vladimir Starrett, Leo Tolentino, Jaden Wright, Tanner Reimann, Cabot Neuberger, and Mitchel Conway.  -Reporter photo

(Above Right) Members of the 2020 Clear Lake varsity girls cross country team include front row (L-R):  Emily Benitz, Ella Nielsen, Kristina Miller, Jadyn Heesch, Emily Roberts.  Back row (L-R): Olivia Fausnaugh, Ariana Iravani, Aimee Groeneweg, Jillian Enke, Chloe Williamson. -Reporter photo

The Clear Lake cross country program has the unusual combination of youth AND experience this season.  And with a new head coach, excitement is high for the program.

“We have a good core of young varsity returners, led by senior Justin Wright,” said Head Coach Tyler Havens.  “I have been really impressed in the first week with the character, attitude, and work ethic of the boys all the way down the roster. I believe this team is going to surprise some people this season.”

Wright  finished fourth in the conference in 2019, 11th at District, and was 67th at State.   He is joined by returning v varsity runners: junior Tanner Reimann and sophomores Andrew Mixdorf, Leo Tolentino, Christopher Molander and Jack Crane.

The coach and runners have set a goal of finishing in the top two among NCC teams and place in the top three at Districts to  qualify for State as a team.  Havens said Humboldt also returns six or seven of its varsity runners from last season and will likely be the Lions’ stiffest competition.

Clear Lake’s girls program is similar to the boys, with one senior, a junior and four sophomores returning with varsity experience.

The lone returning varsity senior is Jillian Enke, who finished 39th at the conference meet last season.  Jadyn Heesch, Kaylee McCarl, Emily Roberts and Ella Nielsen were a powerful freshman quartet for the Lions in 2019, with Heesch placing 13th in the NCC meet and 34th at Regionals.  McCarl was 21st in the conference and 57th at Regionals, while Roberts was 37th and 65th respectively, and Nielsen placed 45th and 84th.  Junior Aimee Groeneweg,  was 48th in the NCC last season and 83rd at Regionals.

“I have noticed the girls are really team oriented, which is going to help us tremendously in the meets this season,” said Coach Havens.  “I think the girls are adjusting well to the new training and I am excited to see their improvement throughout the season.”

The North Central Conference will provide quality competition for the up and coming Clear Lake girls team. According to Coach Havens, IFA-AGWSR, St. Edmond and Algona all return their entire varsity lineups.

Havens grew up in Polk City, Iowa and attended Ankeny Centennial High School.  He ran cross country and track throughout his high school years and chose Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa to continue his education.  He graduated in Spring 2020 with degrees in Electro-mechanical Engineering and Business Administration.

“I moved to Clear Lake in mid-June to start working for Stellar Industries on the Product Management team. I knew I wanted to coach at the high school level to stay involved with the sport of cross country and share my knowledge with those younger athletes. When I became aware of the opening for a head coach at Clear Lake, I jumped at the opportunity,” said Havens.

Havens  also competed on the cross country and track and field teams at Loras.  In cross country, he was an Academic All-American and two-year team captain.  He was a member of Loras teams which won two IIAC conference championships, two NCAA regional championships, and placed in the top 10 at NCAA nationals two consecutive years.  In track and field he was the conference champion in the 3000 meter run (2019), All-Region (2019), Academic All-American (2019), and All-Conference in the 2020 indoor 3000 meter run en route to winning the ARC Indoor Conference Championship as a team.  Unfortunately, the outdoor season this year was cancelled due to coronavirus.

The coach is being assisted this season by Kellen Kessler.  Coach Kessler comes to Clear Lake this season after previously coaching track and field at Newman Catholic. Coach Kessler will be teaching science at Clear Lake High School.

The cross country season will open Thursday, Aug. 27, with the Lions competing at Mayne’s Grove in Iowa Falls.  The Newman Catholic Invitational follows on Tuesday, Sept 1.   This year Clear Lake’s only home meet will be held Thursday, Sept. 17, at Veteran’s Memorial Golf Course.