While the temperatures are cooling down, the races are heating up as cross-country season nears its end.
The Comets hit the course last Tuesday, October 10, at the Iowa City Kickers Soccer Club for the River Valley Conference meet.
West Liberty runners were able to leave with smiles on their faces as five Comets hit PR times in varsity cross-country races.
Only three varsity girls ran for West Liberty, but freshman Addison Guerra was able to secure a PR by one second. She finished in 69th place in 25:38, a hair better than what she did at the Bill Bails Invitational on September 25.
Fellow freshmen Madelyn Deahr and Danielle Tompkins also ran for the Comets, with Deahr placing 60th in 24:44 while Tompkins finished 121st in 41:40.
Mid-Prairie won the girls’ team competition with 49 team points ahead of Monticello (66). Cascade sophomore Hallie Kelchen won on the individual side with a time of 19:49.
The boys’ squad was eligible for a team score (332), and they finished in 11th place — ahead of Highway 6 rivals Wilton (336) and Durant (376).
Junior Manu Garcia Blanes set a PR by going sub-21 for the first time this season. He finished 74th in 20:51 and was the second fastest Comet boy.
Senior Joaquin Elizondo beat his previous best time by three seconds. He crossed the line in 79th place in 21:03. His brother, Cameron, also hit a PR, finishing one spot behind Joaquin in 21:06.
Lastly, sophomore Wesley Heath completed his race in 25:09 for his new best time.
One cannot forget freshman Jonathan Juarez who led the Comets once again with a 68th-place finish in 20:38.
Additionally, sophomore Ben Tharp (125th — 25:15) and freshman Gabriel Malagon (32:11) helped to round out West Liberty’s lineup.
Tipton won the team competition with 73 points while Mid-Prairie’s Emmett Swartzentruber won the race in 16:31.
For their Class 2A district meet, these runners will travel to Williamsburg to try and earn a spot at the state meet in Fort Dodge.
They will be competing against runners from the following schools: Cardinal (Eldon), Centerville, Central Lee (Donaldson), Davis County, East Marshall (LeGrand), Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Mediapolis, Mid-Prairie (Wellman), Notre Dame (West Burlington), Oelwein, Van Meter, Williamsburg and Wilton.
The state meet in Fort Dodge is scheduled for Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28 at Lake Municipal Golf Course.
