City High

Coach: Ryan Ahlers (8^th season)

Assistant coaches: Hanna Collins; Katie Priske; Micah Poellet; Katie Rygh; Emily Dvorak; Angel Wilford

Last season: 8^th at Class 4A State Meet

Returning letterwinners: Nicole Peterson, Sr.; Abigail Burns, Jr.; Nina Peterson, Sr.; Grace Hamann, Soph.; Claire Locher, Jr.; Madeline Fischer, Soph.; Brooklyn Riley-Poma, Soph.; Nina Kuhlmann, Sr.; Ella Romero, Soph.; Josie LeClair, Sr.

Newcomers to watch: Calissa Fruin, Fr.; Eliza Doster, Fr.

Headliner: Junior Abigail Burns had a huge breakthrough last season emerging as the number two runner for City High. Look for another strong season from Burns this fall after she finished in the top 10 in three consecutive races last season before finishing 41^st at the 4A state meet.

Keep an eye on: Seniors Nicole and Nina Peterson have been important leaders from the Little Hawks for the past several seniors and will once again be key to the Little Hawks success. Nicole Peterson was 26^th at the 4A state meet a year ago and Nina Peterson was 61^st at state.

Ready for a breakthrough: Sophomore Grace Hamann impressed last season as a freshman finishing in the top 30 at the MVC Super Meet, Valley Divisional Meet and 4A state qualifier and should make a big jump this fall with a year of experience under her belt.

Circle the date: October 10 at MVC Super Meet at Seminole Valley Park. Want a good mid-season guide to where you sit heading into the postseason? The MVC Super Meet provides just that and City High will be looking to match its strong Super Meet showing from last season when the Little Hawks finished third.

Breakdown: City High finished eighth at the Class 4A state meet last season and the Little Hawks should push for another top-10 state meet showing this season.

Six of the runners that competed at the state meet last season return highlighted by Burns, Hamann and the Peterson sisters.

Those four runners give City High a viable four-person lead pack but the Little Hawks also have depth.

Junior Claire Locher and Madeline Fischer were both state meet qualifiers a year ago and seniors Nina Kuhlman and Josie LeClair have varsity experience.

Among the top programs in the state year in and year out look for City High to again be in the mix in Class 4A.

West High

Coach: Mike Parker (30^th season)

Assistant coaches: Tom Davidson; Brittany McConnell

Last season: 4^th at the Class 4A state qualifying meet

Returning letterwinners: Kate Van Waning, Jr.; Susanna Olson, Soph.; Kalli Titus, Sr.

Newcomers to watch: Savannah Mathias, Fr.; Mia Ahn, Fr.

Headliner: Junior Kate Van Waning will look to build on the momentum from an impressive sophomore season that included top-10 finishes at the MVC Super Meet and Valley Divisional meet and her first career appearance at the 4A state meet.

Keep an eye on: The more senior Kalli Titus runs the better she gets. The most improved runner on the team according to West High head coach Mike Parker, Titus qualified for the state meet for the first time last season. Titus finished 42^nd at the MVC Super Meet and was 20^th at the state qualifier to secure her first trip to Fort Dodge. Look for more improvement from Titus this fall.

Ready for a breakthrough: Sophomore Susanna Olson was outstanding down the stretch last fall and will look to use the experience from a strong freshman campaign to produce a breakthrough sophomore season. Olson finished 21st at the 4A state qualifier and 73^rd at the 4A state meet in her varsity debut season.

Circle the date: October 23 at State Qualifying Meet. A goal for West High this season will certainly be a return to the Class 4A state meet and this meet is where those spots are earned. Look for West High to be right in the mix at whichever state qualifier it attends.

Breakdown: West High missed qualifying for the state meet as a team last fall by one spot, finishing fourth at the Class 4A state qualifier.

With three individual state qualifiers from last season returning West High should push for a spot at the state meet this fall.

Van Waning, Olson and Titus all gained state meet experience a year ago and return to give the Trojans a strong front of the pack group.

Parker has been impressed early by freshmen Mia Ahn and Savannah Mathias who will look to make an immediate impact in the Trojan lineup.

Liberty High

Co-coaches: Josh Hildebrand (1^st season), Leah Wiseman (1^st season)

Assistant coach: Deb Carlson

Last season: 4^th at the Class 4A state qualifier

Returning letterwinners: Clara Welch, Sr.; Mimi Marquardt, Sr.; Madelyn Johnson, Sr.; Marissa Becker, Sr.; Peyten Eide, Jr.; Emerson Adams, Jr.; Chelsea Vedepo, Soph.; Carleigh Maher, Soph.

Newcomers to watch: Elsie Bisgard, Fr.

Headliner: Senior Mimi Marquardt is coming off the best season of her career when she earned honorable mention all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors and qualified for the 4A state meet. Marquardt was 36^th at the MVC Super Meet and 22^nd at the 4A state qualifier before finishing 122 in her state meet debut.

Keep an eye on: Senior Clara Welch joins Marquardt as returning state qualifiers for the Lightning after placing 125^th at the 4A state meet last season. Welch was strong down the stretch a year ago, finishing 20^th at the Class 4A state qualifying meet to earn her spot at state.

Ready for a breakthrough: A three-year varsity runner look for a strong final season for senior Madelyn Johnson. Johnson was building momentum late last season finishing 54^th at the MVC Super Meet and 28^th at the 4A state qualifier.

Circle the date: October 23 at 4A state qualifier. Liberty High has had more than its fair share of closes misses at the state qualifying meet in past seasons and the Lightning should once again be right in the mix to earn a spot at the state meet.

Breakdown: Liberty High boys cross country coach Josh Hildebrand and Leah Wiseman take over the girls program as co-head coaches a year after the Lightning missed qualifying for the state meet by one spot.

The Lightning had an all-to-familiar fourth-place finish at the Class 4A state qualifier at Ames last season but return five of the seven runners from that team and are poised to push for the first team trip to the state meet this season.

Marquardt, Welch and Johnson provide experience and leadership at the front of what should be a strong Liberty High lineup.

Senior Mariss Becker has been a consistent top-10 runner in the program and returns along with juniors Peyten Eide and Emerson Adams.

Sophomores Chelsea Vedepo and Carleigh Maher and both gained varsity experience last season and should take steps forward this fall.

Clear Creek Amana

Coach: Ben Robison (4^th season)

Assistant coaches: Nick Boeset; Mark Eberly; Laurel Keenan

Last season: 15^th at Class 3A State Meet

Returning starters: Kira Barker, Sr.; Sara Kinzenbaw, Sr.; Raegan Wyant, Sr.; Kadence Whitmer, Soph.

Newcomers to watch: Kelsey Leathers, Sr.

Headliner: Senior Kira Barker is seeking to become a four-time state qualifier while putting the finishing touches on a brilliant career. Barker was 15^th at the WAMAC Conference Meet and 17^th at the 3A state qualifier before improving her finish at the 3A state meet for the second straight season placing 68^th.

Keep an eye on: Senior Sara Kinzenbaw is a two-year state qualifier and joins Barker as the leaders up front for the Clippers. Kinzenbaw was 16^th at the WAMAC Conference meet and 18^th at the 3A state qualifier last season before placing 94^th at the 3A state meet.

Ready for a breakthrough: Sophomore Kadence Whitmer showed impressive potential last season as a freshman finishing 28^th at the WAMAC Conference meet and 24^th at the state qualifier before placing 95^th in her state meet debut.

Circle the date: August 31 at Cedar Rapids Prairie Invite. Clear Creek Amana gets a stiff season-opening test against a strong field at Cedar Rapids Prairie.

Breakdown: Clear Creek Amana will be seeking a third consecutive state meet appearance as a team after finishing 15^th in its second straight trip to the 3A state meet last fall.

The Clippers return four runners from last year’s state meet team led by the senior trio of Barker, Kinzenbaw and Raegan Wyant.

Whitmer should take a step forward following an impressive freshman season and gained valuable postseason experience.

They key to success and another state tournament appearance for the Clippers will be rounding out the final three spots in the lineup.

Solon

Coach: Emy Williams (23^rd season)

Assistant coaches: Michelle Lyons; Brian Fitzpatrick; Emily Moser; Chase Moser; Katie Courtney

Last season: 8^th at Class 3A State Meet

Returning starters: Sydney Dee, Sr.; Ella Sheeley, Sr.; Rose McAtee, Sr.; Ava Rolwes, Soph.; Falyn Svalstad, Soph.

Headliner: Senior Sydney Dee established herself as the leader for Solon last season while emerging as a medal contender in Class 3A. Dee was fifth at the WAMAC Conference meet, fourth at the 3A state qualifier and 18^th at the Class 3A state meet.

Keep an eye on: Sophomore Falyn Svalstad is coming off a stellar debut season that included top-15 finishes at the WAMAC Conference meet and 3A state qualifier. Svalstad was 11^th at the WAMAC meet and 13^th at the 3A state qualifier before placing 44^th in her state meet debut.

Ready for a breakthrough: Senior Ella Sheeley has steadily climbed the Spartan lineup and has put herself in position for a strong finish to her career. Sheeley was 21^st at the state qualifier and was the fourth Solon finisher at state last season placing 92^nd in 3A.

Circle the date: November 1 at Class 3A state meet. The state meet remains the goal for Solon which enters the season as a top-five team in the 3A rankings.

Breakdown: Solon enters the season ranked fifth in the Class 3A rankings released by the Iowa Track and Field Association and is poised to push for yet another top-10 finish at state.

The Spartans were eighth at the Class 3A state a year ago and return five runners from that squad including four of their top five state meet finishers.

Seniors Dee and Sheeley lead the way along with classmate Rose McAtee who was 86^th overall at the state meet a year ago.

Svalstad and fellow sophomore Ava Rolwes are both coming off strong debut seasons as Rolwes finished 78^th at the state meet last season.

Long-time Solon coach Emy Williams has the top-end talent, experience and depth thanks to a large freshman class to again be in the mix in Class 3A.

Regina

Coach: Chad Swope (24^th season)

Assistant coaches: Bailey Gale

Last season: 8^th at Class 1A State Meet

Returning letterwinners: Ruby Greving, Jr.; Harper Erwin, Jr.; Caitlyn Bell, Jr.; Ellie Johnson, Jr.; Ruby Eastman, Jr.; Melia Pursley, Sr.; Ali Brandt, Sr.; Ava Wiltgen, Jr.; Chloe Pritchard, Soph.

Newcomers to watch: Adeline Smith, Fr.; Etta Winders, Fr.

Headliner: Junior Ruby Greving is already a two-time state qualifier that splits her time between cross country and volleyball in the fall. Greving was 22^nd at the River Valley Conference meet and ninth at the 1A state qualifier, leading Regina at both meets, before finishing 82^nd at the 1A state meet.

Keep an eye on: Junior Harper Erwin was part of a talented group of sophomores that took big strides last season and closed the year placing 32^nd at the River Valley Conference Meet and 13^th at the 1A state qualifier before placing 89^th overall at the state meet.

Ready for a breakthrough: Junior Ellie Johnson was right next to Erwin and fellow junior Caitlyn Bell in the Regal pack behind Greving last season and should be in for a strong season after placing 16^th at the state qualifier and 93^rd at the state meet to close a strong sophomore season.

Circle the date: November 2 at Class 1A State meet. At Regina the state meet is always an expectation and with five members of last year’s squad that finished eighth at the 1A state meet returning the Regals will have their eyes on another top-10 state meet finish in November.

Breakdown: The future is bright for Regina which will look to make a big jump from its eighth-place finish at the Class 1A state meet last season.

Five runners return after getting state meet experience last season with junior Ruby Eastman joining classmates Greving, Erwin, Bell and Johnson as returning state qualifiers.

Regina doesn’t have a runner returning that placed higher than 80^th at the state meet a year ago but the Regals have consistent depth that few programs in Class 1A can match.

Seniors Melia Pursley and Ali Brandt, junior Ava Wiltgen and sophomore Chloe Pritchard are all returning letterwinners and head coach Chad Swope likes this class of incoming runners.

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