Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Led by a pair of the most tradition rich programs in the state last fall was another strong season for area cross country teams.

City High stretched its state meet streak to an even 30 while West High qualified for the state meet for the 23rd straight season last October.

Regina returned to the state meet and finished seventh in Class 2A.

This season brings another season and what expects to be more success for area teams.

The cross country season officially opened on Monday with the first day of practice.

Here are six individuals to watch this season leading up to the state meet on October 27 at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.

Esti Brady     

Junior, City High

Already a two-time state qualifier Brady expects to be a leader on a City High team looking to add another year to its state qualifying streak.

Brady placed 61st at the state meet two seasons ago as a freshman and improved by 15 places last fall while helping City High to an 11th place team finish.

Deniz Ince                 

Senior, West High

Coming off a breakthrough track season last spring, Ince will attempt to carry the success from an impressive state track meet over to the cross country season.

A two-year qualifier, Ince went from 64th as a sophomore to 47th last season.

The senior will try to make an even bigger jump this season as West High chases another top five team finish.

Kiersten Conway     

Sophomore, Solon

Conway narrowly missed a medal in her first trip to the state meet placing 22nd in a time of 19:33.9 last season.

With six runners with varsity experience returning and a strong group of freshmen entering the program Conway will have plenty of help as she attempts to lead the Spartans back to the state meet following a one-year absence.

Camille Mac

Sophomore, Liberty High

Mac made Liberty High history last fall when she became the first state qualifier and first state medalist in program history.

Now with a year of varsity experience under her belt Mac will try to build on her strong debut season that ended with a 13th place finish at the Class 3A state meet in a time of 19:16.2.

Kennedy Scott          

Junior, Regina

Scott helped Regina to a seventh-place team finish at the Class 2A state meet last season after the Regals missed out on a trip to state in 2016.

She will attempt to improve on her 23rd place individual finish this season as Regina returns to Class 1A.

Kiara Malloy-Salgado

Sophomore, West High

Malloy-Salgado burst onto the scene last year as a freshman establishing herself as the Women of Troy’s number two runner behind standout senior Bailey Nock.

Now Malloy-Salgado will look to lead the West High pack and improve on a 29th place finish in her state meet debut last season.