Linn-Mar Girls Cross Country

Jenks runs 3rd at Nike regional meet

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Linn-Mar freshman Stephanie Jenks placed third out of 260 runners at the Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional Sunday afternoon and qualified for the Nike national meet in Oregon on Dec. 1.

Jenks ran the 5-kilometer course at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 17 minutes, 58.59 seconds in cold, blustery conditions.

The temperature was in the low 20's with a 20 mph wind, putting the wild-chill in single digits. "It was nasty," Linn-Mar Coach Todd Goodell reported.

Jenks finished second in the Heartland Regional last year as an eighth grader in 18:16.5 seconds, so she improved her time by approximately 18 seconds this year.

Jenks won the Class 4A state title in Iowa two weeks ago.

Maria Hauger of Minnesota won the race in 17:33.55, giving her two Heartland Regional crowns in a row. Clare Flanagan of Minnesota placed second in 17:50.53. Hauger is a high school senior and Flanagan is a junior.

The top-five finishers qualified for the national high school meet in Portland, Ore., in three weeks.

The Linn-Mar Running Club finished eighth in the girls team standings out of 29 teams. Amber Decker placed 35th (19:32.43), Maddie Saville was 50th (19:43.34), Rachel Perry 68th (19:56.73) and Sydney Johnston 100th (20:28.22).

The Linn-Mar boys placed 12th out of 32 teams in their race. Chase Grabau finished 38th (16:39.96), Tanner Rathje was 47th (16:47.85), Daniel Murphy 66th (17:00.28), Kyle Read 94th (17:17.82) and Jay Halverson 176th (18:18.79).

The Heartland Regional included runners from the seven-state area of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

There were eight qualifying regionals around the country.

Jenks, Evans, Pritts top all-Metro X-C

Stephanie Jenks, Josh Evans and Mitch Pritts have been named the Runners of the Year on the all-Metro cross country teams.

Jenks, a freshman at Linn-Mar, won the Class 4A state title last Saturday by 18 seconds.

Evans, a junior at Linn-Mar, battled injuries much of the season and finished ninth at the state meet after placing second a year ago. Pritts, a junior at Prairie, finished 12th at the state meet.

Jenks was joined on the girls all-Metro first team by Alyssa Averhoff (Kennedy), Amber Decker (Linn-Mar), Katie Wampole (Kennedy), Rachel Perry (Linn-Mar), Maddie Saville (Linn-Mar), Allison Culver (Kennedy) and Shannon Gorman (Washington).

Evans and Pritts were joined on the boys all-Metro first team by Etienne Nzoyisaba (Washington), Joe Berry (Washington), Tanner Rathje (Linn-Mar), Chase Grabau (Linn-Mar) and Isaiah Vlasek (Prairie).

Todd Goodell of Linn-Mar was named the Coach of the Year for both the boys and girls teams.

ALL-METRO CROSS COUNTRY

GIRLS

First Team
Stephanie Jenks (Linn-Mar), Alyssa Averhoff (Kennedy), Amber Decker (Linn-Mar), Katie Wampole (Kennedy), Rachel Perry (Linn-Mar), Maddie Saville (Linn-Mar), Allison Culver (Kennedy), Shannon Gorman (Washington).

Second Team
Lauren Meyer (Kennedy), Michelle Zikes (Jefferson), Jessica Rodman (Kennedy), Meredith Koenigsfeld (Jefferson), Morgan Garcia (Linn-Mar), Jenny Dickes (Xavier).

Honorable Mention
Katie Costigan (Prairie), Maddie Rainey (Prairie), Sarah Hanna (Jefferson), Megan Ely (Jefferson), Sydney Johnston (Linn-Mar), Caitlin Novak (Linn-Mar), Carolyn Stone (Kennedy), Sarah Manders (Kennedy), Madison Stuckenschneider (Washington), Kristin Mackenburg (Washington), Madison Bach (Marion), Ellen Cannon (Marion), Marinna Schroud (Xavier), Allison Pitz (Xavier).

Runner of the Year - Jenks (Linn-Mar)
Coach of the Year - Todd Goodell (Linn-Mar)

BOYS

First Team
Josh Evans (Linn-Mar), Etienne Nzoyisaba (Washington), Mitch Pritts (Prairie), Joe Berry (Washington), Tanner Rathje (Linn-Mar), Chase Grabau (Linn-Mar), Isaiah Vlasek (Prairie).

Second Team
Michael Mather (Linn-Mar), Daniel Murphy (Linn-Mar), Jake Moore (Prairie), Keegan Cook (Linn-Mar), Kyle Read (Linn-Mar), Zach Waite (Prairie), Ryan Walker (Kennedy), Jacob Schmitt (Xavier).

Honorable Mention
Connor Neuhaus (Prairie), Luke Galloway (Prairie), Alec Archer (Jefferson), Devin Stone (Jefferson), Jay Halverson (Linn-Mar), Matt Wempen (Linn-Mar), Matt Stevens (Kennedy), Addison Furry (Kennedy), Grant Hunt (Xavier), Steven Culpepper (Xavier), Peter Rethwisch (Marion), Colton Forster (Marion), Trevor Luebe (Washington), Matt Wittman (Washington).

Co-Runners of the Year - Evans (Linn-Mar) and Pritts (Prairie)
Coach of the Year - Goodell (Linn-Mar)

Jenks, Pritts top all-MVC cross country teams

Linn-Mar freshman Stephanie Jenks has been named the Athlete of the Year in the Valley Division for the Mississippi Valley Conference girls cross country team.

Linn-Mar teammates Amber Decker, Rachel Perry and Maddie Saville joined Jenks on the Valley Division first team. Shannon Gorman of Washington also made the first unit.

Kennedy teammates Alyssa Averhoff, Allison Culver and Katie Wampole were named first team in the Mississippi Division.

Mitch Pritts of Cedar Rapids Prairie was named the Athlete of the Year in the Valley Division on the boys all-conference squad. Joe Berry and Etienne Nzoyisaba of Washington made the first team, along with Chase Grabau and Tanner Rathje of Linn-Mar.

Todd Goodell of Linn-Mar was named the Coach of the Year in the Valley Division for both the girls and boys all-star teams. Mark Jensen of Kennedy was the named the girls Coach of the Year in the Mississippi Division.

GIRLS ALL-CONFERENCE
Metro Selections Only

VALLEY DIVISION

FIRST TEAM: Stephanie Jenks (Linn-Mar), Shannon Gorman (Washington), Amber Decker (Linn-Mar), Rachel Perry (Linn-Mar), Maddie Saville (Linn-Mar).
SECOND TEAM: Morgan Garcia (Linn-Mar), Sydney Johnston (Linn-Mar), Jenny Dickes (Xavier), Maddie Rainey (Prairie).
HONORABLE MENTION: Katie Costigan (Prairie), Marinna Schroud (Xavier).
ALL-ACADEMIC: Mikayla Wilson (Prairie), Beth Heims (Prairie), MJ Kamin (Washington), Shannon Gorman (Washington), Cassie Busch (Xavier), Sarah Chicchelly (Xavier), Kelsey Brandt (Linn-Mar), Abby Sourwine (Linn-Mar).

MISSISSIPPI DIVISION

FIRST TEAM: Alyssa Averhoff (Kennedy), Allison Culver (Kennedy), Katie Wampole (Kennedy).
SECOND TEAM: Lauren Meyer (Kennedy), Michelle Zikes (Jefferson).
HONORABLE MENTION: Jessica Rodman (Kennedy), Meredith Koenigsfeld (Jefferson).
ALL-ACADEMIC: Carly Beastrom (Jefferson), Shaylee Maas (Jefferson), Sarah Manders (Kennedy), Tara Mittelberg (Kennedy).

BOYS ALL-CONFERENCE
Metro Selections Only

VALLEY DIVISION

FIRST TEAM: Mitch Pritts (Prairie), Joe Berry (Washington), Etienne Nzoyisaba (Washington), Chase Grabau (Linn-Mar), Tanner Rathje (Linn-Mar).
SECOND TEAM: Michael Mather (Linn-Mar), Keegan Cook (Linn-Mar).
HONORABLE MENTION: Kyle Read (Linn-Mar), Isaiah Vlasek (Prairie), Jay Halverson (Linn-Mar), Trevor Luebe (Washington), Zach Waite (Prairie).
ALL-ACADEMIC: Luke Galloway (Prairie), Tanner Mumm (Prairie), Joe Berry (Washington), Matt Wittman (Washington), Daniel Pape (Xavier), Colby Trace (Xavier), Will Fuhrmann (Linn-Mar), Kyle Read (Linn-Mar).

MISSISSIPPI DIVISION

HONORABLE MENTION: Ryan Walker (Kennedy), Matthew Stevens (Kennedy).
ALL-ACADEMIC: Alex Archer (Jefferson), Joseph Petersen (Jefferson), Zach Grobstich (Kennedy), Taylor Moss (Kennedy).

Jenks, Evans pace Linn-Mar to titles

MARSHALLTOWN - Linn-Mar freshman Stephanie Jenks ran so fast in the rain Thursday that she didn't get wet.

That's a slight exaggeration, but not much.

Jenks shrugged off the steady raindrops in Marshalltown and won the Class 4A state qualifier by 44 seconds to help the Lions claim the team championship.

It was a good (but soggy) day all around for the Linn-Mar cross country teams.

Josh Evans, sidelined for a month with leg and hip ailments, returned to action and helped the Lions capture the boys title by finishing second in the individual standings, just one second behind the winner.

Jenks has dominated all of her races this season and has been ranked No. 1 in the state for a month. She took command at the start Thursday and simply ran away from everyone else.

"Steph's the real deal," remarked Linn-Mar Coach Todd Goodell.

Jenks, Evans and the Lions advanced to the state meet in Fort Dodge on Saturday, Oct. 27 where they'll compete for top honors.

Jenks said she hasn't thought a whole lot about the state meet, but will now. She likes to take it "one race at a time."

"Once that race is gone and over with, I kind of forget about it and I start focusing on the next one," she said. "This race is done. I'll go home and I'll start training for state."

Jenks is a national champion in the triathlon, so she's accustomed to running and getting wet on the same day. She felt right at home at Marshalltown.

"Yeah, except we're missing the biking portion," she said with a smile. "I love running in the rain."

Jenks will run in the state meet at 11 a.m. on Oct. 27, then hustle to Iowa City to try and compete in the regional swim meet for Linn-Mar. But she won't swim at the state meet this year, even if she qualifies.

Jenks has been invited to participate in a camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., from Nov. 2-5 for elite triathletes, so she'll miss the state swim meet that will be held Nov. 3 in Marshalltown.

Many of the friends she's made at age-group triathlons around the country will be in Colorado Springs as well.

"I'm really, really excited," she said. "I think it will be a lot of fun."

Jenks said she had fun running in the rain and cold Thursday. The temperature was in the low 40's, and the damp conditions made it feel colder.

"Every race I go out with one goal in mind, and that is to go and run faster," she said. "Especially in cold like this, it encourages you to run faster, because the faster you run the faster you get your sweats on."

Jenks and the other runners had to be careful on the slippery course.

"It was really hard, but it was really fun and it kept me alert, making sure I didn't slip and fall and get muddy and things like that," she said.

The Linn-Mar girls claimed five spots in the top-9 with Amber Decker 3rd, Maddie Saville 4th, Rachel Perry 8th and Morgan Garcia 9th. Jenks, Decker and Garcia are all freshmen, Saville is a sophomore and Perry a junior.

If everyone stays healthy, the Lions could be one of the premier cross country teams in the state for several years to come.

Jenks covered the 4-kilometer course in exactly 14 minutes. Cedar Falls senior Allison Gregg, who finished third at the state meet last year, placed second in 14:44.

The Linn-Mar girls finished with 25 points, easily defeating Cedar Falls (63) for first place.

Evans, who was ranked No. 1 in the state after winning the prestigious Heartland Classic in Ames Sept. 15, had not run a competitive race since then while battling injuries to his left leg and right hip. He got healthy and had five days of pain-free running last week, then hurt his back in practice on Monday and was in considerable pain earlier in the week.

He said he was "a little concerned" he might have to skip the state qualifier, but his back improved with heat treatments and ultra-sound and he decided to give it a shot.

"I didn't go 100 percent, but I definitely went 99," he said. "It's just good to get a solid race under my belt."

Jaime Zarate of Cedar Falls won the five-kilometer race in 16:07. Evans was a second behind in 16:08 but did not attempt a finishing kick, content to stay as healthy as possible.

Evans said his leg and hip felt fine, but his back was a little ouchy.

"I could feel it," he said. "It wasn't bad, but I could tell it was there. Everything else felt fine. I think it (the sore back) messed up my stride just a little.

"I'm praying I can be 100 percent by state."

The runners were not able to attack the course due to the slippery conditions. The rain had abated by the time the Class 4A boys got started, but it was still tricky.

"That was rough," said Evans. "We were slipping all over the place coming around turns. So there's no way that can be good for my back."

Linn-Mar placed five runners in the top-13 to trim Cedar Falls for the team title, 35-44. Tanner Rathje finished 4th, Chase Grabau 5th, Daniel Murphy 11th and Keegan Cook 13th. Murphy also returned from hip and leg injuries to help the Lions.

CLASS 4A STATE QUALIFIER
At Marshalltown

Girls (4K)

Teams
1. Linn-Mar 25, 2. Cedar Falls 63, 3. Ankeny 84, 4. Southeast Polk 136, 5. Newton 144, 6. Waterloo West 151, 7. Marshalltown 168, 8. Ottumwa 204, 9. Mason City 220.

Top 10 Individuals
1. Stephanie Jenks, Linn-Mar      14:00
2. Allison Gregg, Cedar Falls     14:44
3. Amber Decker, Linn-Mar         15:19
4. Maddie Saville, Linn-Mar       15:34
5. Brianna King, Cedar Falls      15:37
6. Taylor Brown, Ankeny           15:40
7. Grace Coen, Newton             15:42
8. Rachel Perry, Linn-Mar         15:43
9. Morgan Garcia, Linn-Mar        15:47
10. Sammie Sproul, Waterloo West  15:55
(14. Sydney Johnston, Linn-Mar    16:18)
(19. Caitlin Novak, Linn-Mar      16:28)

Boys (5K)

Teams
1. Linn-Mar 35, 2. Cedar Falls 44, 3. Waterloo West 86, 4. Ankeny 125, 5. Mason City 152, 6. Southeast Polk 164, 7. Newton 172, 8. Marshalltown 210, 9. Ottumwa 212.

Top 10 Individuals
1. Jaime Zarate, Cedar Falls      16:07
2. Josh Evans, Linn-Mar           16:08
3. Timothy Sevcik, Cedar Falls    16:31
4. Tanner Rathje, Linn-Mar        16:37
5. Chase Grabau, Linn-Mar         16:38
6. Anthony Ohl, Waterloo West     16:39
7. Ethan Pellegrino, SE Polk      16:42
8. Cooper McDermott, Newton       16:44
9. Jonathon Smith, Cedar Falls    16:48
10. Jared Failor, Cedar Falls     16:53
(11. Daniel Murphy, Linn-Mar      16:55)
(13. Keegan Cook, Linn-Mar        17:02)
(14. Kyle Read, Linn-Mar          17:03)
(15. Michael Mather, Linn-Mar     17:03)