GHV cross country teams face tough competition

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura/West Hancock boys and girls cross country teams faced some tough competition when they traveled to the Ballard meet on Monday, Sept. 16.

The boys team placed third in the 10-team field with 114 points.  Boone was first with 41 points and Pella was 

second with 44 points.  The girls placed in the middle of the field of 10.  Placing first was Pella with 37 points, followed by DC-G with 77, Winterset was third with 98, Boone had 100 points and GHV/WH was fifth with 122 points.

“The girls were not totally healthy, but they still ran well against some very good competition,” said Coach Jeff Short.  “The boys also ran very well.  There were four rated teams running in the boys class.”

Joel Toppin and Chase Smith led the boys team, placing in the top five.  Toppin was fourth with a time of 16:36, while Smith was fifth in a time of 16:42.  Rounding out the varsity score was Derek Brown, 27th, 18:20; A.J. Arnold, 36th, 18:37; and Logan Dalbeck, 42nd with a time of 18:51.

The girls ran in a pack and placed 16th, 17th and 18th.  Tiara Van Gerpen was 16th, in a time of 17:01, she was followed closely by Maria Gonzalez who was 17th with a time of 17:04 and Maddie Tusha, 18th, in 17:08.  Maribel Zamago was 34th with a time of 17:56 and Kelly Anderson finished with a time of 18:06, good for 37th place.