by Scott Watson
The Clear Lake girls cross country team opened the season in a big way. The team participated in its first tournament on Thursday, Aug. 24, and took first place in the Iowa Falls-Alden/AGWSR Invitational, beating out five other teams for top honors.
“Our girls made it look easy placing five in the top 15,” said Head Coach Tyler Havens. “They looked strong and competed well. Addie and Anna had to push themselves up to the front of the field.”
The Lions showed why they’re ranked #6 in class 3A, winning with a score of 38. Waukon was second with 68, IFA/AGWSR was close behind with 70, Dike-New Hartford scored 89 points, Humboldt took fifth with a score of 116, and Aplington-Parkersburg brought up the rear with 144.
“2022 state competitors, Rebekah Steinbron and Lauren Englin both had excellent opening performances, earning medals inside the top 15. Freshman Saylor Schmitt was impressive in her Lions debut finishing as our number four runner. Junior Reese Brownlee is returning to cross country form and freshman Jezzie Thompson rounded out our top seven,” said Coach Havens.
Clear Lake’s Addison Doughan cruised to first place overall, with Anna Feuerbach taking a comfortable second place. Doughan finished with a time of 20:58.0, and Feuerbach had a time of 21:17.6.
Rebekah Steinbron was next across the checkers for Clear Lake, finishing with a time of 22:32.4, good for ninth place. Saylor Schmitt took 12th place with a time of 23:05.8. Lauren Englin also placed in the top 15 with a time of 23:30.4, good for 14th place.
Also competing for Clear Lake was Reese Brownlee, placing 17th with a time of 23:43.3 for 17th place. Coming in 20th was Jezzie Thompson at 24:24.7. Brooklyn Heesch placed 27th with a time of 24:48.1. Lydia Brattrud and Alexis Hauge finished next with times of 25:20.5 and 25:22.7, good for 36th and 37th place. Allie Olthoff, Alex Theiss, and Alana Evelsizer placed 47th, 49th, and 51st overall with times of 26:10.7, 26:22.4, and 26:29.1, respectively. Madison Leisure placed 67th with a time of 28:36.0.
“It was fun to see the girls out on the course again and they are looking forward to more competition next week at South Hardin,” said Coach Havens.
