Two Atlantic Cross Country runners qualified and competed at the State Cross Country Meet in Fort Dodge Saturday afternoon. The weather was hanging in the low 30’s and the wind chill was even colder. For the girls side Pella’s Marissa Ferebee won the individual title with a time of 18:38, closely beating out Lindsey Sonderman from Harlan. In third from Sioux Center was Audrina Jones, fourth Avery Rump with Fort Madison, and fifth place was awarded to Iris Dahl from Washington.

Atlantic senior Claire Pellett improved her placing from last year at 15th, to 12th Saturday afternoon. Pellett ran a quick 19:16 pace and commented on how the weather conditions helped her compete.

After the race was over for Pellett she had time to reflect on what being a part of Atlantic’s Cross Country Program had done for her and the many reasons to be grateful.

The final girls team standings had Pella winning first with 80 points, Mount Vernon-Lisbon at second, Gilbert third, Sioux Center at fourth, and Glenwood at fifth.

Girls Team Standings:

1. Pella (80)
2. Mount Vernon-Lisbon (129)
3. Gilbert (142)
4. Sioux Center (155)
5. Glenwood (172)

The boys side of the State Meet also had impressive individual performances. Canaan Dunham from Pella won first place with a quick time of 15:18. In second place following closely behind was Ethan Eichorn from Lewis Central. Third place was Nathan Vander Waal from Pella, fourth was Micah Rees, and fifth place from Glenwood was Andrew Smith.

The top boy’s team was Gilbert was a score of 57 points and all runners finishing at 18th or better. In second was Pella, third Lewis Central, fourth Carlisle, and fifth Washington.

Boys Team Standings:

1. Gilbert (57)
2. Pella (63)
3. Lewis Central (100)
4. Carlisle (144)
5. Washington (186)

Atlantic’s lone male runner was senior Bennett Whetstone finishing at 103rd and with a time of 17:37. The goal of the meet for Whetstone was to run hard, but also take in the whole experience of what it’s like to run at State. He was surprised at what he found.

Whetstone’s cross country career ended when he crossed the finish line. He will miss the people he ran with it and knows the goodbye will be hard.

Atlantic Head Cross Country Coach Dan Vargason is continually impressed by the runners in his program and how they continue to improve Atlantic Cross Country as a whole.

Even with the strong performances and positive results from Trojan Cross Country every year. Coach Vargason did discuss that they need more kids to come out for next year.

Atlantic Cross Country will hold their end of the year banquet Sunday October 29th at Atlantic High School.