GC/G-R finishes strong at state meet
The same week as the G-R volleyball team secured their return trip to the state volleyball tournament, the GC/G-R boys cross country team was doing their own encore tour.
The GC/G-R boys improved from a 12th place team finish in 2020 to an 11th place team finish at this year’s Iowa High School State Cross Country Meet.
This year the team ended with 223 points, led by a 38th place finish by junior Brennen Sager.
In their return, Sager and teammates Paul Brockett, Soren Cleveland and Kaden Lynch each improved upon their times from the previous year.
Of the group, Lynch made the biggest strides jumping from 104th place in 2020 to 52nd place in 2021 while shaving over three minutes off his previous finish time.
Both Brockett and Sager also took close to one minute off their times.
Senior Ethan Sadler returned to the state meet this year after competing with the team in 2019.
Sadler finished 55th, improving both his place and time from the team’s 2019 run.
The lone newcomer for the GC/G-R squad was Tyler Venenga.
The sophomore ran in 127th place with a time of 19:10.25.
Meanwhile during the girls race, GC/G-R’s Taylor Stahl got an opportunity to run at the state’s highest level for her senior season.
Stahl qualified with a 14th place finish at the district meet and while in Fort Dodge turned in a 100th place finish with a time of 22:15.65.
RESULTS
Iowa High School Cross Country Championships
Oct. 30 – Lakeside Golf Course, Fort Dodge
Boys Results
GC/G-R, 11th Place, 223 points
Place Name Time
38 Brennen Sager 17:37.58
52 Kaden Lynch 17:49.70
55 Ethan Sadler 17:53.21
81 Paul Brockett 18:11.05
123 Soren Cleveland 19:01.64
127 Tyler Venenga 19:10.25
137 Jeryn Spear 20:22.47
Ind. Champion: Aaron Fyynardt, Des Moines Christian, 15:56.58
Team Champion: Tipton, 60 points
Girls Results
Place Name Time
100 Taylor Stahl 22:15.65
Ind. Champion: Danielle Hostetler, Mid-Prairie, 18:27.23
Team Champion: Mid-Prairie, 50 points