Clear Lake runners look good in season opener

Clear Lake cross country teams opened the season Tuesday, Sept. 3, competing in the Newman Invitational held on the Mercy Health Center-North Iowa west campus.

“It was an evaluative meet for our team.  Runners were able to see how they measured up to the competition this season,” said Lions Head Coach Nick DiMarco.  

Overall, things look promising for the Lions, according to the coach.   Five of the 14 varsity Clear Lake runners earned medals at the Newman meet.  

“Twenty of the 24 returning runners on this year’s squad bettered their time from the Newman meet last year,” noted DiMarco. “With these results we are going into our season with a positive outlook.”

The girls team was led by Jaci Ullrich and Logan Anderson finishing in 16th and 17th place respectfully.  Ullrich ran a 17:26 over the 4,000 meter course, while Anderson was clocked in 17:31.

“Jaci is new to our squad this year and shows great promise,” said DiMarco.  “And Logan ran two minutes faster than she did at Newman last year.”

Rounding out the girls’ team performance was Trudy Peterson, placing 43rd in 19:05; Courtney Anderson, finishing 57th in 19:15; and Kirsten Reineke, 70th in 20:41.

The boys placed three runners in the top 20 at Newman.  Antonio DiMarco finished fourth in a time of 17:03; Jake Iverson placed 11th in 17:44, and Ryan Faught was 19th in 18:10.  Spencer Orr was next, finishing 56th in 19:40 and Joe Schiller, running in his first varsity race, set a personal record by running under 20 minutes for the first time in four years.  The boys covered 5,000 meters in their race.

“The boys team placed fifth out of the 15 teams, so we hope to use this meet as a springboard for many top finishes this year,” said DiMarco.