Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – It was part sure thing and part surprise for the West High girls cross country team on Thursday.

That recipe added up to a season-opening victory for 4A No. 8 West High at its own Early Bird Invitational at the Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa City.

Defending Class 4A champion and top-ranked Bailey Nock provided the expected, cruising to the individual title in a time of 18:48.

It was the rest of the Women of Troy that provided the unexpected.

Senior Colleen Bloeser was responsible for the biggest surprise with a runner-up finish in her first varsity race.

“I definitely surprised myself,” Bloeser said. “I had been feeling pretty good this year but I don’t think I quite expected to get second in this race, that surprised me definitely.”

Bloeser was one of three West High runners making their varsity debuts to finish in the top 10 as the Women of Troy edged No. 10 North Scott by four points for the team title.

Freshman Kiara Malloy-Saldago and Katie Hoefer finished ninth and 10 respective while junior Deniz Ince was sixth as West High finished with 26 points.

“Colleen has been running great in practice and we were kind of hoping for that, it was a great start for her, I’m very happy for her,” West High coach Mike Parker said. “We had some freshman that just did a great job, we had two in our top five so I was very pleased with those girls as well.”

In her first race since winning the state title last season Nock was as dominant as expected.

The senior ran away from the field early, building a more than 10 second cushion in the first mile.

Nock’s winning time of more 18:49 was more than a minute in front of Bloeser who was second in 19:50.

“Bailey is great, I wouldn’t have improved as much as I already have this year without her, she is a great teammate and person to have on our team,” Bloeser said. “I’m very bad with directions too, so if I can keep up with her it helps me from getting lost.”

Bloeser was almost as impressive as her fellow senior in her varsity debut.

She finished five seconds in front of North Scott sophomore Presley Case who opened the season ranked tenth in Class 4A.

“I’m really, really happy for Colleen and excited to see everything that she can accomplish this year,” Nock said. “I’m really glad to have her as a part of our team.”

West High Early Bird Invitational

Team Results – 1. West High 26; 2. North Scott 30; 3. Davenport Assumption 75.

Individual results – 1. Bailey Nock (ICW) 18:48; 2. Colleen Bloeser (ICW) 19:50; 3. Presley Case (NS) 19:55; 4. Sommer Clydesdale (NS) 20:12; 5. Maddie Case (NS) 20:22.

West High (26) – 1. Bailey Nock 18:48; 2. Colleen Bloeser 19:50; 6. Deniz Ince 20:32; 8. Kiara Malloy-Saldago 20:51; 9, Katie Hoefer 20:52; 14. Claire Ronnebaum 21:16; 15. Erica Buetner 21:29.