Lady Eagles takes third at conference meet

The Eagle Grove varsity girls cross country team took third place at this past Monday’s Top of Iowa Conference Meet held at the NIACC campus in Mason City.

Newman Catholic was the champion with 73 points, followed in order by: Osage 82, Eagle Grove 88, Nashua- Plainfield 101, West Fork 122, St. Ansgar 151, Forest City 187, Garner-Hayfield/Ventura 220, Belmond-Klemme 220, West Hancock 226, Central Springs 296 and North Butler 309.

Editor's Note: Coach's comments came in after press time and are below:

"Overall we ran well on a chilly day. I was hoping the Top of Iowa Conference would have considered our conference teams running a state qualifier on Thursday, 2 days after the conference meet, and moved the meet up under any type of format but that wasn't the decision. It appears the conference elected to move to one championship for the 18 team conference vs. West and Eastern Division champions which was the original foundation. Eagle Grove once again was the Western Conference Champions and finished 15 points from repeating at the overall 18 team champion. At the 2nd mile we were packed up well 2-5 but seemed to get spread out slightly into the 3rd miles which end up being the difference maker. Newman was able to split us during the last mile for the win. I know the girls were striving for the championship and lets hope this adds additional motivation for the state qualifier on Thursday.

Lea and Megan first team all conference, Graciella, Kaitlin, and Hannah 2nd team all conference.

Lea ran another solid race in the 21st and sets herself up for the state qualifier on Thursday. Lea has been running 21s the last several meets and those times on Thursday gives a runner an out right opportunity for top 15 finish.

The 2nd pack of Schafer, Graciella, Kaitlin ran mid 22s which is great now this group needs to add a 4th runner for the state qualifier and pack up in the lower 22s. I know this is feasible if they set their minds to it. In the end all teams walk to the start line on Thursday at Garner with the same desired result, finish as a top 3 team and run at the state meet. This team has 4 runners capable of closing the gap on Lea if the determination is there for 21-22 minutes of racing. I am confident they will take it on themselves to pack up and carry on our tradition of competing for a state qualifying spot on Thursday."

Coach Mike was voted Top of Iowa Conference coach of the year for the 2nd straight year by the conferences other 17 coaches.