Atlantic Cross Country Invitational – Thursday, October 6th, 2011 at Nishna Hills Golf Course

The saying goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”  For Senior Ali Krogman it should be,” The more things stay the same, the more they change!”  Ali has already established her self as the most successful male or female cross country runner in Atlantic history, and is currently ranked No. 4 in 3A.  In 2011, she has run very well with comparable performances to her undefeated sophomore season in which she grabbed a state title.  While her performances have stayed the same, her competition has changed a great deal.
Going into Thursday’s home meet, she faces two huge obstacles.  Rebecca Topham of Griswold and Madison Waymire of DCG are ranked
first in 1A and 3A respectively and many feel they are the 2 best runners in the state, regardless of class.  Topham is undefeated and incredibly no one has come within a minute of her all year.  Waymire won the multi-state Roosevelt Invite defeating the top 2 runners in class 4A by more than 20 seconds. Fans who come out should be treated to quite a race.
DCG is the girls team favorite, but rated teams Harlan, Griswold, Sheanandoah-Essex and Tri Center make it a very competitive meet..Add to that a good L.C. team and an improving Atlantic team and this should be the toughest 26 team field ever.
Tee Jay is a big favorite to win the boys title. Rated teams Shenandoah-Essex and Riverside should challenge. After the first 3 places, it should be wide open with DCG, Winterset, Harlan, L.C., Creston, A.L., and the host Trojans all in the mix.    The individual favorites are Sean Skillern of Shenandoah-Essex, Cade Cleveland and John Gunderson of Riverside, Kyle McGlade of T Jay, and Trevor Turner of Winterset.

Schedule is below
4:00    Middle school girls
4:15    middle school boys
4:30     J.V. Boys
5:00    Varsity Girls
5:30    Varsity Boys
6:00    J.V. girls

Atlantic varsity runners are listed below.

Girls    Ali Krogman, Alex Hartwig, Katie Blake, Liz Siggins, Alisha Hinzmann, Karly Monson, and Malachi Wickman

Boys    Corey Whitt, Tian Siggins, Josiah Williams, Sam Bateman, Preston Hoye, Derek Von Seggern, and Blake Esbeck or Ryan McDermott

— Submitted by Bruce Henderson