Photos Courtesy of Columbus Cross Country and Lone Tree CSD Social Media

Southeast Iowa athletes shined on the big stage of the Class 1A State Qualifier cross country meet Thursday at North Linn High School.

The Columbus Wildcat boys capped a dominant regular season with a State Qualifier meet team title, running away from the rest of the field with their score of 38 points. Lynnville-Sully was second with 63. The ‘Cats put four in the top 10, led by Victor Tovar fifth in 17:58. Lynnville-Sully’s Colton Alberts was the winner in 17:13. Other Columbus runners included Cade Storm sixth, Kevin Villa eighth, Ryan Villa ninth, Drake Marin 10^th, Elias Gonzalez-Bravo 18^th, and Elias Duran 19^th. The Wildcat girls were fifth with 144 points. Hudson was the girls team winner with 31. Iris Garza is going back to Fort Dodge for the blue and white. The Wildcat junior has made state each year of her high school career, tying the school record, after finishing fourth in 20:38. Mollie Hansen of Hudson was the winner in 19:38. Other Wildcat girls were Gabriela Duran 21^st, Isabel Rendon 28^th, Naveiah Garza 49^th, Rozlynn Garza 59^th, and Ellie Valencia 63^rd.

The headline for Lone Tree cross country came on the boys side where Brock Nebergall got the highest area boys finish, placing fourth in 17:40 and earning his spot at state. As a team the Lion boys were ninth with 266 points. Other Lone Tree boys runners included Dallas Grimm 43^rd, Trenton McKean 76^th, Carter Parrish 81^st, and Max Poock 91^st. For the Lady Lions Lydia Hartman just missed state, taking 12^th in 22:02. She was followed by Addyson Eiben 30^th, Carlee Sexton 42^nd, Jazmine Nino 46^th, Ava Christofferson 47^th, and Abigail Zaruba 60^th.

The 2025 State Cross Country Championships will be held Friday, October 31^st and Saturday, November 1^st at the Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge.