CL X-C teams earn runner-up honors at NCC meet

Clear Lake’s cross country teams each earned runner-up finishes at the North Central Conference Meet held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Mayne’s Grove, Hampton.  Humboldt took home the NCC title in both races.

Girls race

The Clear Lake girls team ran their best team race of the year when it mattered most.

“Second place is the highest the Lady Lions have placed in many years,” said Coach Nick DiMarco.  “The hard work and miles that the girls have logged paid off on Tuesday night. Five runners placed in the top 20.”

Gretchen Jones earned All-Conference honors by placing eighth in a time of 21:17.

“Gretchen has been a great leader this year and has the team focused on the State Qualifying meet on Thursday,” said DiMarco.

Katelyn Moore ran an exceptional race, placing 11th with a time of 21:54.  Alena Gabrielson finished 16th in 22:48.

“Alena has a great work ethic and her times continue to improve,” added the coach.

Tali Tesar, Riley Cooney and Bailey Larsen worked together the entire race to push past many other runners.  This strategy is what helped secure the second place finish.  Tesar was the leader of the group, placing 19th with a time of 23:12.  Cooney was right behind her and did a great job maintaining her position, finishing 20th in a time of 23:13.  Close behind was Larsen, who is running very well going into the post season.  She placed 22nd in a time of 23:31.  Rissa Barragy finished 33rd in a time of 25:03, improving her time on the Hampton course by 1:20.

Humboldt won the girls race with 33 points.  The Lions were second with 69 and St. Ed’s claimed third with 75 points.

Boys race

The Clear Lake boys ran another excellent race at the Conference Meet.  Two racers received All-Conference honors and four runners were in the top 15.  Eric Faught is the North Central Conference Champion, placing first in a time of 17:17.

“Eric got out fast with the lead group and continued to wear out each of the other leaders until he was by himself for the last 800 meters,” explained Coach DiMarco.  “Eric is a very tough competitor and this is a race that he could not be denied.”

Sam Pedelty finished third in a time of 17:38.

“Sam’s strategy is to start of conservatively and push up as the race progresses.  Sam runs the second half of a race better than almost anyone,” added the coach.

Ike Branstad placed 12th in 18:20.

“Ike is a real student of the sport and studies the great U.S. cross country runners and utilizes strategies and workouts from these accomplished athletes,” said DiMarco.

Senior Grant Dieken saved one of his best races for the Conference Meet and was instrumental in helping the Lions place second.  He  was 15th in a time of 18:27.   Jacob Peterson placed 28th in a time of 19:02. The coach noted Peterson is a first year cross country runner who has a great work ethic and will continue to be a contributor for several years to come.  Right behind Peterson was Noan Colby, who finished 33rd in a time of 19:07.

“Noan has decreased his times more than anyone on the team and has worked himself into racing condition going into the State Qualifier,” said DiMarco.

Dylan Schuchard finished 46th in a time of 20:45.

[wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember]

[wlm_ismember]

“Dylan has been a solid leader on the team all season.  He sets the tone for the daily workouts a does an excellent job working with the underclassmen,” added the coach.

Humboldt won the boys team title with 39 points.  Clear Lake finished with 59 and Webster City was third with 61 points.

[/wlm_ismember]