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 |