UPDATE: Lynnville-Sully’s cross country teams showcased remarkable performances at the Pella High School Dutch Cross Country Invitational on July 15, 2023, holding their own against tough competition from state-ranked rivals. The girls’ team finished 6th out of 10 teams, while the boys secured 7th in a field of 13 teams.
The event took place at Central College, where both teams faced formidable competitors from Class 1A. Coach Darin Arkema expressed pride in his athletes, stating, “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.”
In the girls’ 5K race, top finisher Emma Parkinson placed 16th with a time of 21:06.4. Following her, Mandeesa Vos, ranked 21st in 1A, crossed the line in 20th at 21:19.4. The Hawks improved their times impressively, with all girls showing significant progress compared to their previous meet.
The boys’ team mirrored this strong performance, with Colton Alberts finishing 16th at 17:03.1. Other scoring runners included Sam Terlouw (19:13.8), Madden Gunsaulus (19:14.4), and Ethan Dunsbergen (19:26.5), who finished in 64th, 65th, and 69th place respectively.
Despite facing a stacked field, the Hawks outperformed conference rivals English Valleys and North Mahaska. Coach Arkema noted, “The boys were able to beat Baxter today by a 58-point margin,” highlighting the team’s determination and focus on improvement.
The competition saw Class 3A No. 1 Gilbert take the boys’ championship with 31 points, while the girls’ title went to Class 3A No. 1 Pella, who dominated the field with 16 points.
Looking ahead, both teams are expected to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next races. The focus remains on enhancing individual performances, with many runners achieving personal bests. “Almost everyone improved from the first meet to the second, ranging from 35 seconds better to 2 minutes and 10 seconds better,” Arkema added.
Fans and supporters are eager to see how the Hawks continue to develop as the season progresses, with the next meet promising even more exciting competition.
