Solon runners will see plenty of familiar faces and teams as they head to the starting line this weekend at the Class 3A State Cross Country Meet. It’s a return trip to Fort Dodge for both the Spartans and Lady Spartans after a runner-up showing for each at the State Qualifying Meet October 18 on their home course.
Heading to State, season long No. 1 Pella leads the 2023 girls’ 3A field with Gilbert ranked second. For the boys, it is Gilbert up top with Pella second. Local rival Mount Vernon-Lisbon heads to State ranked in the top six after winning both sides of the Solon-hosted qualifier, and each by about a dozen points. Prior to the qualifier, Solon’s girls showed up fifth in 3A, with the boys 13th.
“This week, we kept some things the same, (such as) getting into the weight room. We still got out and ran, but less ‘volume,’ working on keeping those legs fresh and ready to run,” outlined Solon coach Emy Williams.
At the state meet in 2022, the Lady Spartans finished third, a point out of second in a tight race that saw Pella win with Ballard second. Pella also won the boys 3A title last year with Marion second, North Polk third, and Solon 11th.
“This year is the fourth in a row where our boys’ team has qualified for state. That has a lot to do with this group of seniors. When they came in as freshmen, they had great leaders,” notes Williams. “Five of the seven varsity runners are seniors. And there’s a ton who run JV too. Our boys just went out and ran a great race. Brick Kabela (finishing 16:10) running with those top two? He definitely closed the gap, from previous races against them. And Mike Yeomans (16:55, 12th) and Spencer Michels (16:58 and 15th)? Amazing accomplishment!”
This will be his fourth trip to State for Kabela. “It feels awesome, especially to get to do it in front of the home crowd, my family and my friends. Just to be out here with this amazing community makes it all the better!” And coming on the home course? “It’s always an advantage, especially out there in the woods. We’ve run this course in a meet at least ten times over the years. You know when you are coming out, when to make your move!”
It’s another ‘four-peat’ for senior Anna Quillin as well. “Qualifying as an individual is definitely a big confidence boost,” agrees Quillin. “But with your team? It’s the biggest thing. That was the goal today. We know our home course like the back of our hand. And a lot of us PR’d (ran personal bests).”
The Lady Spartans were again led across the finish line by junior Sydney Dee. “This is only Sydney’s second year running cross country. Her confidence is just growing every single meet.” says Williams. “She believes that she can go out and run with those ‘lead’ girls. You can see it in her face as she runs. Her times are showing it. They’re dropping and that’s just helping our team.”
The scoring at the state qualifier went:
Boys: Mt. Vernon/Lisbon 57, Solon 70, Central-DeWitt 81, Grinnell 116, Marion 125, Center Point/Urbana 151, Western Dubuque 190, Wahlert-Dubuque 242, Xavier-Cedar Rapids 243, Benton 259, Assumption-Davenport 277, Maquoketa 311, Independence 385.
Individuals: Brick Kabela 3rd (16:10.1), Michael Yeomans 12th (16:55.1), Spencer Michels 15th (16:58.8), Evan Burg 19th (17:17.1), Collin Bumsted 21st (17:17.9), Lawsin Sinnwell 35th (17:46.0), Grant Bumsted 37th (17:50.6).
Girls: Mount Vernon/Lisbon 53, Solon 65, Marion 94, Center Point/Urbana 118, Western Dubuque 137, Wahlert-Dubuque 147, Assumption-Davenport 179, Xavier-Cedar Rapids 195, Benton 229, Grinnell 283, Central DeWitt 280, Independence DNP, Maquoketa DNP.
Individuals: Sydney Dee 4th (19:32.9), Anna Quillin 10th (19:57.0), Falyn Svalstad 13th (20:07.0), Ava Rolwes 17th (20:34.9), Ella Sheeley 23rd (20:54.6), Gracie Federspiel 27th (20:59.5), Rose McAtee 30th (21:15.8).
2023 Class 3A State Meet information
Location – Kennedy Park/Lakeside Golf Course, 1415 Nelson Ave., Fort Dodge
Event schedule — Girls will run Saturday, October 28 at 2:00 p.m. with the boys at 2:45. The 3A Awards Ceremony will be at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets – Only pre-purchased online through Bound (www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/girlscrosscountry/2023-24/tickets). $10/person with $3 per person parking fee. No cash, check, or credit card sales at the event. Please have your QR Code pulled up and ready to scan before you get to the park. Fort Dodge Parks, Rec., and Forestry staff say it will be helpful to have only one transaction per vehicle if possible and recommend taking a screenshot of your QR Code at the time of purchase for easy access.
Meet information – https://ighsau.org/news/state-cross-country-meet-central/ and www.iahsaa.org/cross-country/state-meet-central/.
The varsity boys cross country team pose with their state qualifier banner after taking second place in a Class 3A qualifying meet Wednesday, October 18 at the SRNA.