DECORAH - The Xavier boys cross country team nipped Decorah for top honors at the Class 3A state qualifier in Decorah Thursday.

The Saints edged the Vikings, 62-64, in the 13-team meet.

Xavier earned a spot in the state cross country meet in Fort Dodge next Saturday.

Jonathan Lansing placed fourth for the Saints in 16 minutes, 53 seconds. Then came a tightly-packed trio of John Pape in 10th (17:12), Joe Scieszinski in 12th (17:13) and Nolan Pithan in 13th (17:13). Mahlon Steepleton finished 23rd for the Saints (17:36).

The Xavier girls finished sixth in their race.

BOYS TEAM STANDINGS

1. Xavier 62, 2. Decorah 64, 3. Wahlert 97, 4. Crestwood 138, 5. Waverly-Shell Rock 156, 6. Vinton-Shellsburg 160, 7. Charles City 180, 8. Benton Community 210, 9. Center Point-Urbana 247, 10. Iowa Falls-AGWSR 258, 11. Union 295, 12. Independence 307, 13. West Delaware 336.