UPDATE: The Lynnville-Sully cross country teams delivered impressive performances at the Pella High School Dutch Cross Country Invitational on October 7, 2023. Both the girls and boys teams faced tough competition, but the state-ranked Hawks held strong, with the girls finishing sixth and the boys seventh among formidable fields.
Competing against several Class 1A ranked schools, the L-S girls secured sixth place out of ten teams, while the boys finished seventh in a 13-team lineup. Notably, both teams outperformed conference rivals English Valleys and North Mahaska. “On a really nice course that can be challenging yet produce fast times, the Hawks had an outstanding second meet of the season after a really solid week of training,” stated L-S head coach Darin Arkema.
In the girls’ 5K race, Emma Parkinson finished in 16th place with a time of 21:06.4, leading the Hawks, while Colton Alberts similarly marked his spot in the boys’ race, also claiming 16th place with a time of 17:03.1. Mandeesa Vos, ranked 21st in 1A, crossed the finish line in 20th at 21:19.4, echoing a strong performance by teammate Blake Wilmesmeier, who placed 20th in the boys’ race with a time of 17:18.3.
The scoring for the L-S girls saw Breah Lowry clocking 22:18.3 in 43rd, followed by Peyton Sharp and Isabelle Vos at 54th and 56th respectively. Coach Arkema noted, “The five girls who raced last week all saw improved times ranging from 13 seconds all the way up to 1 minute and 30 seconds.”
On the boys’ side, Sam Terlouw led the scoring group with a finish at 19:13.8, followed closely by Madden Gunsaulus and Ethan Dunsbergen, who finished in 64th, 65th, and 69th respectively. The Hawks demonstrated strong teamwork, with Arkema emphasizing their focus and determination throughout the race.
Class 3A No. 1 Gilbert clinched the boys’ title with 31 points, while Pella ranked second with 43 points. The top five was rounded out by ADM, Chariton, and Platte County. The Lynnville-Sully boys outperformed Baxter by a significant margin of 58 points, despite Baxter missing their top runner due to injury.
In the girls’ competition, Class 3A No. 1 Pella dominated with only 16 points, securing the top five spots. The Lynnville-Sully girls, ranked 7th in 1A, finished with a total of 159 points, showcasing their growth and resilience.
As the season progresses, both teams aim to capitalize on their momentum and improve further as they prepare for upcoming meets. The Hawks’ continued dedication and teamwork will be crucial as they face new challenges ahead.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Lynnville-Sully cross country teams as they push toward their next competition!