Cross Country teams looking forward to 2025 season

After winning the conference title last year the girls’ team placed third in the district meet, just missing the chance to return to the state meet for the 20th year in a row. This year their goal is to return as a team to the state meet.

Pekin is led by Chloe Glosser, who finished third in the state meet last year. Maddy Petrehn, Abby Guise, and Callie Deutschle, who all ran in varsity meets last year, will aid in achieving the goal of the team.

Also returning are Harper Guise and Hailey Pedrick, who missed most of last season due to injuries. Also returning is Cambree Earnest who ran in the state meet in 2023.

Newcomer Emerson Porter, who came to Pekin last semester, is expected to strengthen the varsity team.

The Pekin boys’ team also came close to making the state meet last year, placing third in the state-qualifying meet.

This year the team will be led by three runners who were the top three runners for Pekin in every meet last year. Cole Millikin and Mason Dahlstrom, both qualifiers to the state meet last year, and Lane Fariss are expected to be at the top in most meet this season.

Pekin will also have several boys to step in to help this year. Brody Sobaski leads the way, followed by Clayton Harvey, both having run varsity last year. Hayden Miller and Conor Cloyd will compete for varsity. Newcomer Jaxon Mefford will help make the team stronger.

The cross country team competed at Wildwood Park in Ottumwa last Thursday, Sept. 4.

Pekin’s varsity girls’ team finished third with 91 points. Winning was Van Buren County with 53, followed by Ottumwa in second with 59. L&M finished fourth with 91 and Fairfield was fifth with 95. The boys’ varsity team also took third with 86 points. Winning the boys’ race was L&M with 46, Van Buren County was second with 55. Fairfield took fourth with 110 and Sigourney was fifth with 130. Pekin’s junior high girls’ team tied with Fairfield with 35 points, with Fairfield taking first place and Pekin second.

Chloe Glosser won the high school girls’ race in a time of 18:10.1. Abby Guise was the next Panther to cross the line, taking tenth place in a time of 22:30.7. Callie Deutschle finished 26th in 23:37.7 and Maddy Petrehn was 30th in 23:49.7. Bree Earnest was 38th in 24:30.3 and Harper Guise was 39th in 24:32.2. Hailey Pedrick finished 43rd in 24:54.5, Zoe Heisdorffer was 45th in 25:17.0, Emerson Porter was 46th in 25:41.3, Haven Hensley finished 50th in 26:08.5, Breanna Drish was 61st in 29:22.8, and Reagan Wise was 64th in 30:23.7.

Cole Millikin was the top runner for the Pekin high school boys’ team, finishing third in 16:38.3. Lane Fariss and Mason Dahlstrom also finished in the top 10, with Fariss taking sixth in 17:13.0 and Dahlstrom seventh in 17:41.6. Brody Sobaski finished 34th in 20:05.0, Landon Fariss was 41st in 20:31.4, Clayton Harvey finished 54th in 21:12.4, and Hayden Miller was 70th in 22:41.2.

Jude Freese-McCabe won the girls’ junior high race with a time of 10:16.8. Scout Lock finished third in 10:23.3, Stella Dickey was seventh in 10:39.2, and Eleanora Ferrell took 18th in 11:35.0.

Pekin Cross Country Schedule

Aug. 25 — Knoxville Earlybird @ Pine Knolls Golf Club

Aug. 28 — Albia @ Albia Golf and Leisure

Sept. 4 — Wildwood XC Meet @ Wildwood Park

Sept. 9 — Van Buren County Invite @ Riverview Club

Sept. 13 — Luther College

Sept. 20 — Heartland Classic @ Central College

Sept. 20 — Lighted Links XC Race @ Ottumwa High School

Sept. 22 — Solon

Sept. 27 — Waterworks Grade Race @ Fairfield Waterworks Park

Oct. 2 — Bud and Bonnie Williams Invitational @ Iowa City Kickers Soccer Club

Oct. 9 — Mike Jay Invitational (Senior Night) @ Cedar Crest Country Club

Oct. 9 — Mediapolis Invitational @ Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club

Oct. 14 — SEISC Conference Meet @ Hillcrest Academy

Oct. 18 — JH State Meet @ Ankeny

Oct. 23 — State qualifying meet TBD

Nov. 1 — HS State Meet @ Ft. Dodge