Area runners will take the cross country course for the first time in 2026 tonight when the Hillcrest Academy Ravens host their annual Early-Bird Invitational in Kalona.
Last season, the Raven girls finished 10th as a group at the Southeast Iowa Superconference Championships, led by Marie Yoder in fourth and Siena Stanerson sixth. That pair both qualified for State placing fifth and seventh respectively in Ottumwa, with Stanerson 22nd in Fort Dodge and Yoder 40th. Though Stanerson graduated, Yoder returns for her senior season and starts the year ranked 25th in the girls Class 1A poll from the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. The Hillcrest boys would place 11th at the Superconference meet in the team standings. Meller was 16th at the State Qualifier to lead the Ravens with Mason Wilson 19th and Jaxson Brokaw top 25.
Highland will get things started for 2026 tonight at the Early-Bird. The Huskies were 16th at the boys Superconference championships with Kyler Fink the leader in 67th. As a group they were 15th at the State Qualifier with Fink’s 57th best. The Huskies had three on their girls roster last year with Grace Bombei, Aubrey Hahn and Erika Thomann. Bombei was 14th at the Conference meet and 20th at the State Qualifier.
Tonight serves as the season opener for Lone Tree. The Lions were represented at State last year by Brock Nebergall who finished 72nd in 1A. Lydia Hartman led the way on the girls side, going 12th at the North Linn State Qualifier.
The Columbus Wildcats look to continue their excellence this season. The Wildcat boys qualified for state as a team a year ago with a sixth place finish in in Class 1A at Fort Dodge and bring back the entire group of Ryan Villa, Cade Storm, Victor Tovar, Kevin Villa, Drake Marin and Elias Gonzalez Bravo that placed top 100 in Fort Dodge. The Wildcat boys start the year ranked No. 2 in Class 1A by the IATC as a team. For the Wildcat girls, Iris Garza was at State in 1A a year ago, placing 29th, she starts this season ranked No. 17 individually.
Highlights from a year ago for Winfield-Mt. Union include Bowen Thomson placing 29th for the boys at the 1A State Qualifier. The Wolves will be in Kalona tonight.
The WACO Warriors had one of the biggest seasons for area teams last year. The boys were Southeast Iowa Superconference team champs, led by individual champion Jude Dykstra. Locken Henderson made his way to the 1A State Championships and placed 89th. For the Warrior girls, Josie Dykstra and Macie Carter both advanced to the State meet in Fort Dodge where they would place 21st and 59th respectively. Dykstra begins the year ranked No. 10 in Class 1A.
The Keota Eagles also start 2026 tonight with a trip to Hillcrest. The Eagles restarted their cross country programs last year with Chase Haifley’s 35th place finish at the South Iowa Cedar League Meet and 50th place race at the 1A State Qualifier the best for the Eagles a year ago.
Joining these teams tonight are the No. 15 in Class 2A Albia girls and their boys, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Washington, the No. 5 in 1A English Valleys girls and their boys and the No. 7 in 4A Iowa City High girls and their No. 9 boys . There are a total of 10 ranked runners in tonight’s field. Action starts tonight with the boys race at 6:30p.m. And the girls race at seven on the campus of Hillcrest Academy.