The Solon boys and girls cross country teams open their seasons this Saturday in Anamosa. The girls come off a season that saw them finish 2nd in the WaMaC and 4th at state (right behind Mount Vernon in both), despite a rash of injuries and health issues all season. An inexperienced boys team struggled most of last season running three freshman and missing their top harrier, Spencer Michels, due to injury. The team sent a lone runner to the state meet, Anders Holmes, and finished 6th in the WaMaC.
Boys preview
Holmes, a sophomore, had a stellar rookie campaign leading the team through the year and placing 11th at the conference meet (the only Spartan in the top 30) and 49th at the State Meet. Holmes will have some talented company this year with the return of Michels, a senior, and much improved sophomores Preston Raasch and Deacon Waddell. Rene Meza , Owen Young, Charlie Petitt and Camden Lyons each contributed as varsity runners and return for their senior campaigns. The foursome along with Michels will help provide the leadership to guide the young team, says Head Coach Emy Williams. Freshman Brooks Kabela looks to be solid contributor as well and likely fixture for the varsity team for years to come.
Coach Williams see depth as a strength for the boys.
“We are 10-12 boys deep fighting to make that top seven this season. Keeping Spencer and the rest of the boys healthy will be a priority,” the 24-year veteran coach said.
The team enters week one unranked but could change that quickly with ranked teams from each of the four boys’ classes competing in Anamosa.
“After not making it as a team to state last year, that will definitely be a priority for this year’s team. We always have the goal to be in that top ten or top five and we have a great shot at it this season,” Williams said.
The boys had finished top five twice and no worse than 11th from 2020 to 2023 before missing last season’s state meet.
Boys prediction: This team looks very similar to the Class 3A runner-up team Williams guided in 2020 that also began the season unranked and unknown. Top-ranked Gilbert is loaded with returning all-staters and the WaMaC may be the toughest 3A conference in Iowa with teams ranked #3,#4,#12 and #19. However, with the former Iowa Boy’s High School Coach of the Year at the helm, do not be surprised if the team competes for a conference title and podium spot (top 3) at the State Meet. Holmes, Michels and Waddell could contend for first team all-conference honors and if the team stays healthy, they could pull a Halloween afternoon trick on the rest of Class 3A in Fort Dodge and find themselves with a team medal on the podium at Lakeside Golf Course.
Girls preview
Although still very young, most of the varsity girls firepower will return for the 2025 with one big exception, multiple time all-WaMaC performer and state qualifier Sydney Dee. Dee placed 20th at state and 4th at conference in 2024. Also gone is #5 runner Ella Sheeley from the 2024 squad. 2025’s biggest obstacle however, may be health for the girls.
“A focus of ours is keeping these boys and girls healthy, that’s why we’ve brought in a nutritionist to work with the program,” Williams said.
Depth should be a plus on the girls’ team as well. 2024 all-conference runners Kinley Mai and Liv Nelson should lead the way after solid freshman seasons. Fellow sophomore Addison Seamans had a breakout race in Fort Dodge last year as Solon’s third finisher at the State Meet, placing 54th overall in 20:07.
The anchor of this team could be junior Falyn Svalstad. A two-year letter winner, Svalstad ran second for the Lady Spartans as a freshman clocking 20:04 on the state course and placing 43rd. Incoming freshman Mailee Schmidt should also contribute after winning the junior high state cross country meet as a 7th grader and placing 5th as an 8th grader.
Girls prediction: Solon’s girls have tradition and a number four pre-season ranking. Even without Dee and Sheeley, this team will be formidable and athletic with several multi-sport athletes. If they can stay healthy, the team has the talent and grit to best all of 3A except Pella whose top three runners went 1-2-3 at state last year and all return. Watching the Mt. Vernon vs. Solon rivalry however, will be worth the price of admission, especially at the conference and state meets. Williams has 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th place State Meet finishes on her resume over the past five seasons. Don’t be surprised if she adds the runner-up spot in 2025.