Bontrager punches ticket to state

Bontrager punches ticket to state

Sophomore Leah Bontrager punched her ticket to the Iowa State High School Cross Country Championships Thursday night.  Bontrager placed sixth at the 1A state qualifier meet hosted by Regina in Iowa City at the Kickers Soccer complex.  The top fifteen individuals and the top three teams all advance to the state meet in Fort Dodge next Saturday.  Bontrager ran a career best effort touring the 5.066 kilometer course in 21:19.  Senior Sarena Gerber also ran the best race of her high school career.  She placed twenty-seventh in 22:48.  “Sarena has made steady improvements throughout her high school career.  She has been a great example for the younger runners and has been an excellent team leader the past two years.”  Chloe Staley came in next for the Ravens placing seventy-sixth in 26:19.  Sophomore Julia Boller had a personal best effort placing seventy-eighth in 26:25.  Taryn Leichty ran a gutsy race finishing eighty-sixth in 27:15.  Senior Ainsley Shaw finished her high school career with a huge season best time of 35:34.  “Ainsely has been an inspiration to many with her positive attitude and consistent efforts.  Both Ainsley and Sarena have been important parts of the team for the past four years.  They will be missed.”  The Ravens placed ninth in the field of fourteen full teams.  This was the first time Hillcrest placed ahead of Highland, Mediapolis or Wilton this season.   Analee Bartels won the individual title in 20:48 leading Regina to the team title.  Pekin and Prince of Peace Catholic were the other team qualifiers.

Leah Bontrager will run in the 1A state championship race at 2:00 p.m. Saturday November 2 at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge.

Box content

Girls          
Individual Results       Team Scores  
Leah Bontrager 6th 21:19   Regina 60
Sarena Gerber 27th 22:48   Pekin 89
Chloe Staley 76th 26:19   Prince of Peace Catholic 117
Julia Boller 78th 26:25   Central Elkader 134
Taryn Leichty 86th 27:15   Cascade 148
Ainsley Shaw 111th 35:34   Marquette Catholic 185
        Maquoketa Valley 207
        North Cedar 212
        Hillcrest Academy 233
        Highland 237
        Mediapolis 246
        Wapello 272
        Durant 291
        Wilton 301

The Hillcrest boys team finished their season placing twenty-first among the twenty-three full teams at the Iowa City 1A state qualifier meet.  Three first year team members led the Ravens.  Will Kolck placed eighty-second in a personal best time of 20:32.  Owen Swartzendruber had a great run being second for the team.  He placed one hundred second in a personal best time of 21:25.  Colby Harris was one hundred fifth in 21:26.  Senior Jesse Slater had a huge season best effort placing one hundred seventh in 21:37.  Collin Miller was next for the Ravens placing one hundred twenty-second in 22:36.  Jorge Canchola was one place and four seconds behind Miller to place one hundred twenty-third in 22:40.  Senior Toby Chen also had a huge season best effort placing one hundred thirty-ninth in 23:59.  “It was great to see Jesse and Toby put it all together in their final high school cross country races.  They have both been a source of maturity and wisdom for the team this year.  We will miss them.”  Junior Chase Knoche of Calamus-Wheatland won the boys race in 16:53 leading his team to the team title.  Pekin and Maquoketa Valley were second and third in the team race qualifying for state.  

Boys          
Individual Results       Team Scores  
Will Kolck 82nd 20:32   Calamus-Wheatland 51
Owen Swartzendruber 102nd 21:25   Pekin 75
Colby Harris 105th 21:26   Maquoketa Valley 87
Jesse Slater 107th 21:37   Iowa City Regina 136
Collin Miller 122nd 22:36   Cascade 169
Jorge Canchola 123rd 22:40   Wapello 190
Tobias Chen 139th 23:59   Wilton 230
        Columbus Community 279
        Winfield-Mt. Union 294
        Alburnett 321
        Holy Trinity 349
        Van Buren 352
        Central Elkader 363
        Durant 395
        Rivermont Collegiate 405
        Easton Valley 412
        Lone Tree 447
        Mediapolis 452
        North Cedar 464
        Midland 472
        Hillcrest Academy 481
        Marquette Catholic 598
        Highland 611