In Council Bluffs at the 4A State Qualifying meet Brooke McKee ran away with a dominant win in the girls race, clocking a 19:16 ahead of Valley's Lauren Schulze who came through in 19:42. Schulze helped her team to a 1-point win over this season's State favorites from Johnston, a huge upset for the Dragons. Though Johnston sat the returning State Champion Paige Horner and only ran 6 athletes, Valley saw their opportunity and beat them at the third runners, who finished 6th and 7th, respectively. Though we expect the Johnston team to have their full squad at State next weekend, this could present an opportunity for the Waukee Warriors to come for that first spot. McKee took an early lead in the race and continued to pull away from the field over each K, the first time we have seen her compete with that strategy this season. Will she do the same at the State meet and bring home the individual title? Johnston, Valley, and Urbandale will all be competing next weekend in Fort Dodge.
On the boy's size, Jaysen Bouwers of Sioux City North was chasing the gator with Urbandale's Payton Marrs and Johnston's Luke Perman in tow. This was Bouwers' second straight win for the Championship season and his 3rd win of the year. The sophomore will look to get on the podium next Saturday at the State meet with a current individual ranking of 18th based on this seasons PRs. Perman lead the Johnston Dragons to the team win with 47 points ahead of Valley with 52, followed by Sioux City North for the 3rd ticket to Fort Dodge.
Other individuals who punched their tickets to Fort Dodge include Kaia Downs, Haley Bach, and Lillian Garay on the girls side. Payton Marrs, Anthony Moran, Aidan Booton, Wimach Gilo, and Aiden Rudloff will be represented on the boys side.
Watch the boys race HERE
Watch the girls race HERE