Cross-country teams make a run at qualifying for state

The Mt. Pleasant cross-country teams will race at the Class 3A state-qualifiying meet in Amamosa on Thursday, Oct. 20.

Both the boys and the girls will compete against schools such as Ft. Madison, Keokuk, and Washington for a chance to run at the state meet, which will be at the Lakeside Golf Course in Kennedy Park ? near Ft. Dodge ? on Oct. 29.

The top three teams from each qualifiying meet, as well as the top 10 individuals, will run at state.

?Zach (May) has a (legitmate) shot at qualifying for state,? Coach Mitch Anderson said. ?I think he should (place) around fifth to 15th and hopefully get that top-10 spot.?

In a tough field of competition, the Panthers are hoping to place in the top eight as a team.

?I think there are five to six teams that could qualify for state out of other districts,? Anderson said.

Both teams will run against teams they haven?t faced in competition yet this year, and for the girls, that competition will be stiff.

?We hope (Hannah Weber) makes it in the top 10, but it?s going to be really hard,? Coach Jean Caboth said.

As a team, the girls will have to compete against the first- and second-ranked teams in the state: Davenport Assumption and Solon.

?Last year, we took fifth at Knoxville; this year, we?re trying for third or fourth,? Caboth said. ?It will be very difficult, but if everything clicks, it just might work.?

The Class 1A state-qualifying meets will also be on Thursday, Oct. 20. Teams from Winfield-Mt. Union and WACO will run in Wapello.

The girls run in a field of 24 teams, and the boys? team will face 26 opponents who are all vying for the top three spots.