The 2015 high school cross country season has come down to two races. Today marks state qualifying races all across the state, including in Fairfield where the Washington Demon boys and girls cross country squads will try to extend their season for an additional week. Among the teams Washington will compete against includes: Cedar Rapids Xavier, Central DeWitt, Clear Creek Amana, Davenport Assumpiton, Fairfield, Fort Madison High School, Keokuk, Marion, Mount Pleasant, Oskaloosa, and Solon.

Washington’s runners are a week removed from their last competition, running in the Southeast Conference meet at Washington’s Golf and Country Club. Senior Emme Keith finished her conference career as the Demons’ lone all-conference runner. Her time of 21:18 was the seventh best in the league. The top 10 runners in the boys and girls race earned all-conference honors.

Washington had several additional strong performances in the conference race. Sophomore Brooke Stout was just outside the all-conference fraternity, clocking the meet’s 13th best time at 21:54. On the boys’ side, Washington had three finisher among the top 20. Junior Owen Horak, an all-conference runner last season, was the closest boys’ runner to earn all-conference honors. His run of 18:35 was the 14th best finish in the conference meet. Jacob Van Osdol and Brennan Horak finished one step behind one another, finishing 16th and 17th respectively.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union increased the number of individual state qualifiers from each site from 10 to 15. The top three lowest scoring teams will also advance to next week’s state race in Fort Dodge.

The first race of the state qualifying meet will begin at 4 p.m. at Waterworks Park in Fairfield. Listen to tomorrow’s KCII Sports Page for results from the meet.