Cross Country Team Faces Mixed Results at Winterset

Ballard Scores 66 Team Points

September 11, 2024

The Bombers women's cross country team battled it out at Winterset, placing 3rd overall in a competitive field. With standout performances from Annika Larson and Brynn Wilson, the Bombers were close to a top-two finish but fell just short.

Leading the way for the Bombers was Annika Larson, who finished 2nd overall with a time of 19:22. Larson continues to show strong form this season, staying near the front of the pack throughout the race. Brynn Wilson also delivered a solid performance, placing 9th with a time of 20:29.

Raya Miller came through in 16th place with a time of 21:35, while Ava Richardson and Kya Hermann finished 19th and 20th, respectively, in close succession. Richardson clocked in at 22:10, while Hermann followed just five seconds later at 22:15. Grace Grundmeyer rounded out Ballard's varsity team in 23rd place with a time of 22:29, contributing to the team's overall score.

In the team standings, Van Meter took 1st place with 49 points, followed by host Winterset in 2nd with 64 points. The Bombers were just behind in 3rd place, totaling 66 points, narrowly missing the runner-up spot. Martensdale-St. Marys placed 4th with 88 points, followed by Interstate 35 in 5th with 139 points. Creston, Bondurant-Farrar, and Perry completed the standings in 6th, 7th, and 8th places, respectively.

Comments From Head Coach Scott Barth:

"We had a mixed bag tonight on the course at Winterset. The weather was nice and several of our runners used it in some solid racing but overall the teams underperformed.

The girls were led by Annika Larson who set a season best time of 19:22 in placing 2nd. She looked strong and focused during the entire race and solid progress from our last meet. Brynn Wilson also ran well and ran a season best time of 20:29 placing 9th in a tough field. Raya Miller had a clutch performance placing 16th in 21:35. Ava Richardson struggled a bit from her typical form placing 19th with a time of 22:10. Kya Hermann was not far behind in a time of 22:15. Grace Grundmeyer ran a really good race finishing 23rd in a time of 22:29 which is a season PR by over 1 minute and only 7 seconds off her career PR from late last season. Also of note was the run by freshman Nora Showman who took 1st in the JV race in a time of 23:01, which is her new career PR, also by over a minute.

I thought we were in a good position heading into this meet. I knew that Van Meter and Winterset are both quality ranked teams. We just seemed not to have the extra gear that we typically have and had at Webster City. We won't overreact too much to this as it is only one performance and I know these girls are not satisfied with our team finish. They will bounce back strong on Monday against another tough field."

The Bombers will return to action on Monday, September 16, when they host the Mike Carr Invitational Meet. The event will include middle school, junior varsity, and varsity races, beginning at 4:30 PM.

HUSKY INVITATIONAL WOMEN'S TEAM SCORES

1. Van Meter, 49

2. Winterset, 64

3. Ballard, 66

4. Martensale-St.Mary, 88

5. Interstate-35, 139

6. Creston, 153

7. Bondurant-Farrar, 162

8. Perry, 182

HUSKY INVITATIONAL WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL TIMES

2 Annika Larson, 19:22

9 Brynn Wilson, 20:29