BREAKING: The Lynnville-Sully cross country teams delivered impressive performances at the Pella High School Dutch Cross Country Invitational on October 7, 2023, battling through competitive fields with state-ranked schools. The Hawks showcased their strength, with the girls finishing sixth in a 10-team field and the boys placing seventh out of 13 teams.
Both teams triumphed over conference rivals English Valleys and North Mahaska at Central College. “On a really nice course that can be challenging yet produce fast times, the Hawks had an outstanding second meet of the season after a really solid week of training,” stated head coach Darin Arkema. His words reflect the team’s determination in facing tough competition.
In the girls’ 5K race, Emma Parkinson secured 16th place with a time of 21:06.4, while Colton Alberts matched that feat for the boys, finishing 16th in 17:03.1. Notably, Mandeesa Vos, ranked 21st in 1A, crossed the line in 20th with a time of 21:19.4, showcasing the depth of talent in the team.
The scoring runners for the L-S girls also included Breah Lowry in 43rd (22:18.3), Peyton Sharp in 54th (22:52.1), and Isabelle Vos in 56th (23:04.8). Arkema expressed pride in the improvements shown by his runners, noting that many athletes cut their times significantly from the previous meet, with improvements ranging from 13 seconds to 1 minute and 30 seconds.
The L-S boys had strong finishes as well, with Sam Terlouw (19:13.8), Madden Gunsaulus (19:14.4), and Ethan Dunsbergen (19:26.5) completing the team’s scoring, finishing in positions 64th, 65th, and 69th, respectively. Their efforts helped the team surpass Baxter by a 58-point margin, despite Baxter missing their top runner.
The boys’ team faced fierce competition, with Class 3A No. 1 Gilbert taking the title with just 31 points, followed closely by Pella with 43 points. The top five also included ADM (110), Chariton (128), and Platte County in Missouri (131).
For the girls, Pella dominated, winning the championship with an astonishing 16 points, while the Hawks finished seventh overall. Marissa Ferebee of Pella clinched victory in the girls’ race with a time of 18:29.1.
Coach Arkema highlighted the competitive atmosphere, stating, “There was only one girls’ and one boys’ race, so all competitors, varsity and junior varsity, raced together. Our girls did a better job of getting off the line and positioning themselves effectively.” His insights reveal a focus on strategy as well as athleticism.
As both teams gear up for their next challenges, fans will be watching closely to see how the Hawks continue to improve. The upcoming meets will be crucial as they aim to build on this momentum and further establish their presence against top-tier competitors.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Lynnville-Sully cross country teams look to capitalize on their recent success and keep their eyes on the prize!
