TIPTON, Iowa - Tuesday was another hot and humid one with which Eastern Iowa cross country runners had to deal. The course here at the Tipton Invitational also showed the signs of recent heavy rains, causing the run to be muddy.
Solon (45) came through the conditions to claim victory on the girls side while the Clear Creek Amana (24) boys took the title. Cascade's Madeline Rhomberg crossed the finish line first in the girls race. Jack Sexton grabbed gold on the boys side.
Rhomberg hung back for the first mile before making her move. She ran the course in 21:19.
"I didn't really know many of the girls that were running so I kind of just went off feel. I knew that a lot of the girls that beat me in the past were not here. So, I kind of just went out and ran the way I run," Rhomberg said.
Iowa City Regina's Maeve Dunne finished second in 21:33. Solon's Kiersten Conway (21:38), North Linn's Hannah Bridgewater (21:49) and Regina's Josie Voss (21:54) rounded out the Top 5.
Sexton didn't make his final move until his coach told him to get going with about 800 meters remaining in the race. He listened and cross the finish line in 17:22.
"I had a lot more left in the tank than I normally do. I've never been this tired after a race," Sexton said.
Tipton's Caleb Shumaker, who led for much of the race, finished second in 17:35. CCA's Brandon Barker (17:48) and Nick O'Connor (18:03), and Calamus-Wheatland's Chase Knoche (18:13) were next across the finish line.
Host Tipton was the second-place team on the boys' side with 57 points. Calamus-Wheatland (84) took third.
For the girls, Regina scored 65 for second place. Cascade was next with 114.
Watch the girls race HERE
Watch the boys race HERE
View photos from both races HERE