Area runners compete at state

FORT DODGE - Mid-Prairie senior Quinn Schmidt led area runners competing as individuals at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge, site of the cross-country state championships.

He placed 32nd over the five-kilometer course in 17 minutes, 36.2 seconds in Class 2A. Reece Smith of Garner-Hayfield-Ventura won the race in 16:00.7.

Evan Horak, a junior at Washington, was 94th in Class 3A in 18 minutes, 0.5 seconds. Mt. Pleasant's Cody Mertens won in 16:03.1.

'It was great, something I've never experienced before,” Horak said. 'It's just eye-opening how many runners are at your level, and even better than you. I'm used to being down in little Washington. I'm used to running with Dalton (Moyle of Mt. Pleasant) and having Cody ahead of me. Up here, it is something else.”

Two area girls also ran at state for the first time, both competed in Class 1A. Emma Lucas of Bedford won the race in 18:41.7.

Sophomore Madison Thomann of Highland was 99th in 22:50.4.

Iowa Mennonite School freshman Leah Bontrager placed 72nd in 22:16.4.

Horak expressed a sentiment shared by many runners.

'It's great finally having all that work pay off,” he said. 'I'm so proud of myself and my season, how it's went. I have to thank my coaches, and my teammates for pushing me to get to where I am right now.”