Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

FORT DODGE – Liam Hartley wasn’t sure what to expect from the Regina girls cross country group in his first season leading the program at his alma mater.

Hartley heard about the Regals’ potential in a meeting with the former coaching staff and saw the talent during the opening meet of the season.

On Saturday the rest of the state got a glimpse at what Hartley knew Regina could do.

Regina posted its best state meet finish since 2011 with a Class 1A runner-up finish at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.

“With it being my first year coming in and honestly one of my first times in six or seven years stepping foot in the high school again I didn’t really know what to expect,” Hartley said. “I had met with the former coaches and they knew the girls were capable of some special things and I did too after the first meet.”

Regina had two runners in the top 14 in the team scoring and finished with 128 points to place behind top-ranked Logan-Magnolia.

Sophomore Annalee Bartles finished fifth overall and fourth in the team scoring while freshman Josie Voss was 14th in the team scoring to help the Regals edge defending champion Hudson by 14 points for the runner-up spot.

“Our goal was just to do our best,” Bartles said. “We wanted to get out there and give it our best. We didn’t have a real goal but I definitely think we exceeded our expectations.”

Bartles led the way with a fifth-place overall finish in a time of 19:49.4.

It was the best finish for a Regina individual since Nicole Keinmeyer was third in 2009.

“I just came in wanting to do my best and give it all I’ve got because this is my last chance this season,” Bartles said. “It feels really good.”

Seniors Molly Vittetoe and Maeve Dunne each finished in 21:56.6 to place 33rd and 34th respectively. 

First-year team members Dunne, Voss and Bartles were all making their state meet debuts on Saturday but performed well under the pressure of the state’s biggest stage.

“One thing that we always have preached for year at Regina is giving your best and the results will come,” Hartley said. “Our top three it was their first time every running not only at the state meet but in high school cross country in general.”

Logan-Magnolia was fourth in 1A last season but cruised to the team title by 62 points.

The Panthers had four runners in the top 13 in the team scoring led by Taylor Sporrer who was second and Courtney Sporrer who placed fourth.

“I knew it would be difficult going in but as the race progressed I was very impressed with them,” Hartley said of Logan-Magnolia. :It is very different seeing results on a paper then seeing them in person that is the first time we have seen them in person and they were a fantastic team today.”

State Cross Country Meet

Class 1A Girls

Team scores – 1. Logan-Magnolia 66; 2. Regina 128; 3. Hudson 142; 4. Lansing Kee 145; 5. Denver 153; 6. Starmont 175; 7. Pekin 178; 8. Earlham 213; 9. Bellevue Marquette 241; 10. North Linn 247; 11. East Marshall 258; 12. Tri-Center 259; 13. Ridge View 268; 14. Fort Dodge St. Edmond 273; 15. Adair-Casey/Grundy Center 291

Individual medalists – 1. Emma Lucas (Bedford) 18:41.7; 2. Peyton Pogge (Tri-Center) 19:24.5; 3. Taylor Sporrer (Logan-Magnolia) 19:34; 4. Courtney Sporrer (Logan-Magnolia) 19:36.5; 5. Annalee Bartels (Regina) 19:49.4; 6. Jalyssa Blazek (Turkey Valley) 19:59.3; 7. Katie Brennan (Lansing Kee) 20:02.9; 8. Haley Meyer (Lansing Kee) 20:08.8; 9. Kate Crawford (ACGC) 20:11.3; 10. Grace Beck (Denver) 20:12.2; 11. Cheyenne Shaw (North Mahaska) 20:14.2; 12. Alexis Post (Riverside) 10:15.7; 13. Reagan Weinheimer (Nodaway Valley) 20:21.4; 14. Jenna Twait (Hudson) 20:21.6; 15. Jasmine Mueller (Central Elkader) 20:22.6

Regina – 4. Annalee Bartels 19:49.4; 14. Josie Voss 20:45.1; 33. Molly Vittetoe 21:56.6; 34. Maeve Dunne 21:56.6; 43. Kennedy Scott 22:19.1; 57. Mary Catherine Graff 22:44.7; 71. Josie Pursley 23:13.6

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