A nine-year absence at the state cross country meet will end tomorrow for the Washington Demons. Claire Horak, in her first varsity cross country season, punched her ticket to Fort Dodge last Thursday with a top-five finish at Solon’s state qualifying race. Her time of 19:31 was the third best performance in the girls’ field.

Horak, last week’s KCII Hedge Above Lawncare Athlete of the Week, becomes the first Washington Demon runner to compete at the state meet since Kelsey Anding in 2007. Horak tells KCII Sports she ran 192 miles this summer in preparation for the season, 12 more than recommended by head coach Stefanie Tschantz.

The first 15 runners across the finish line Saturday will medal at the state meet. Horak has placed in the top 10 of every race she’s competed in this season, including six straight top- five finishes. The Class 3A girls’ race is set to commence at noon tomorrow at the Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge.