Cross country girls finish season strong at State qualifier

The Clear Lake girls team finished out it season at the State qualifier. Although no Lions will advance to State, Coach Havens said he was impressed with the way the girls finished out their season.

“We have made so much progress over the course of the season. I am excited with the group of returners we will have next year along with the 8th graders that will be moving up. The future is bright!” said Havens.

Jillian Enke ended her high school running career with a lifetime personal record.  The Lions’ number one runner placed 53rd in a time of 23:13.66.  Her effort ranks her seventh all-time at Clear Lake in the 5K.

Three other Lions,  sophomore Olivia Fausnaugh, junior Haley Jackson and senior Gretchen Guetzlaff, also set lifetime personal records.  Fausnaugh and Emily Roberts, a junior, finished 63rd and 64th respectively in 24:15.92 and 24:33.23.  Sophomore Emily Benitz came in  72nd in 25:35.13 and Jackson was 73rd in 25:38.21.  Guetzlaff finished 81st in 28:10.92.

There was a three way tie at the top of the team point standings with Decorah, Waverly-Shell Rock and Center Point-Urbana each earned 81-points.  Decorah was awarded the team title based on tiebreakers.  The remainder of the field included: Benton Community (106), Charles City (109), Iowa Falls-Alden/AGWSR (129), Marion (134), South Tama, Tama (256), Vinton-Shellsburg (264), Independence (271), Webster City (278), Clear Lake (304), Hampton-Dumont (DNP).