Following last Thursday’s state qualifier meet held here on the home course, Eagle Grove will be represented by both a four-time qualifier and a first-timer.
Lea Friedl returns yet again to the big stage at Kennedy Park/Lake Side golf course near Fort Dodge. After going with the team her freshman year, she now makes her fourth straight appearance on the big stage. She will be joined on the boys side by Drake Weland, a promising sophomore who is likely going back for more over the next two years.
“I looked before the meet at who (teams) would potentially be coming here,” stated coach Mike Herrington. “The state tries to distribute the top 15 ranked teams over all the qualifiers state-wide, and I think they do a good job with that. I was confident several Eastern Iowa teams would be sent here, as Denver, Dike-New Hartford and Des Moines Christian usually come this way. That’s just what they did. I also knew there were several ranked runners along with those. I figured at least five to maybe seven of them would be capable of 21:30 or under. As it turned out, there were eight. To get one of those spots, Lea needed to do that and that is exactly what she did.”
Friedl blazed over the home course in 21:07.07 for a new personal record and a solid seventh place. As good as that was, she has run even faster at Fort Dodge in posting a 20:43 for 34th two years ago. “Coming into the last mile, she was right where she needed to be,” said the coach. “I figured that all three (Madi and Alejandra included) could sustain it over the last mile.” He went on to explain how fast cross country has evolved across the state. “The level of competition, from 1A to 4A and all across the board team or individual, the bar continues to raise every year and the measuring stick is now so much more challenging,” said the coach. “If they run a 21:07 on this course, you put them on a relatively flat course and they’re under 21,” said Herrington. “This sport allows you to build strong quality within yourself that can carry you through life. It’s the attitude of ‘when the going gets tough the tough get going.’ It’s a compliment to the girls that ran this course that day. It shows the level of talent sent to this qualifier.”
Herrington went on to say that Friedl had high goals going into this year. “She wanted first team all-conference and her fourth time at state, and she achieved those goals,” said the coach. “Her willingness to learn and apply those to her day to day practice routines paid off. Her positive spirit and dedication were also noticeable.”
The other two entrants did equally well, as Madi Axtell came home in 23:47.07 for 37th and Alejandra Lopez in 24:46.22 for 53rd place. “Madi has surprised herself, her support system and her teammates,” said Herrington. “Her progress is great, and she’s applied her natural ability to get it done. Her time at the conference meet was not a mistake. She could be a surprise for us down the road. Alejandra ran well, going faster than at the Dick Bell or the conference meet. She has potential and ability for her senior year, but needs to work on her endurance. She is a really hard worker.” He also wishes to point out the fourth member of the team, Darci Anderson, was there to cheer all three of the girls on. “Thanks Darci for your support of your teammates,” said the coach. Denver was the team champion, followed by Dike-New Hartford and Des Moines Christian. Amber Homan of Denver crossed first in 20:06.40.
Des Moines Christian took the boys team title with 43 points, followed by Denver with 59 and Grundy Center/Gladbrook-Reinbeck with 109. The Eagles were 10th with 250 points. Carson Houg of DSM Christian finished in 16:37.74 for first place.
“This meet was a toss up for us as a team,” said head coach Ben Demuth. “I knew going in that we had a pretty big challenge ahead of us with the teams that were ranked coming in and also the teams that we had run against that were assigned to this meet. However, I thought if we continued to run as well as we had we always had a shot. In the end it was just not meant to be for us as a team. We ran well and I was ptroud of the efforts considering the weather conditions, as these guys did not quit at all.”
Weland posted a 18:06.89 for 14th, which was one spot inside the final 15th place cutoff. Noah Thul came home in 19:44.74 for 49th, Justin Agtun in 19:56.61 for 53rd, Cael Wesselink in 20:14.42 for 67th, Derricklee Harms in 20:26.53 for 71st, Jensen Cooper in 20:31.65 for 73rd and Alex Frakes in 25:39.24 for 92nd at the finish.
“I’m excited for Drake to be moving on to state, but was hoping to possibly sneak one or two more into the top 15,” said Demuth. “The good news is that we have a good core of upperclassmen back next year, along with some talented incoming freshmen that will complement our team well. We just have to be hungry for more and I like what I’m hearing from the returners about their desire to get the team back to Fort Dodge! As for Adam Felix, Cael and Derricklee, I could not ask for better lesdership from these seniors with all the COVID craziness that we have had to endure. They were phenomenal in making sure our season stayed the course and did what I asked and needed from them. They will go on to other bigger and better things for sure, but I hope they remember what a special group they are! I hope for a large crowd on Saturday morning to cheer on both Lea then Drake in the following race!”
