GHV cross country runners earn NIC recognition

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura/West Hancock cross country team had a busy week, with a meet on Monday at Forest City, and the North Iowa Conference Meet on Thursday.

Conference Meet

GHV/WH had six girls and five boys earn All-Conference recognition at the Conference Meet, and both teams finished with runner-up status behind Osage.  

“We ran very good, but came up a little short, but it helped us prepare for the State Qualifying Meet,” said Coach Jeff Short.

The boys team finished the meet with 46 points, a close second to Osage who had 43 points.  Forest City was third in the seven team field with 90 points. 

Both Joel Toppin and Chase Smith earned spots on the First Team.  Toppin finished in second place with a time of 16:24, while Smith was fourth in 16:48.  Derek Brown, A.J. Arnold and Jonny O’Connor earned Second Team honors.  Brown placed 12th in a time of 17:58.  Arnold was right behind him for a 13th place finish in 18:10. O’Connor ran the race in 18:05, good for a 15th place finish.

Also running varsity was Anthony Siegrist, 18th, 18:26, and Derek Lonneman, 20th, 18:42.

The girls team finished with 46 points, right behind Osage who captured first place with 44 points.  Newman was third with 65 points, North Iowa was fourth with 79 points, and Belmond-Klemme was fifth with 150 points.

Maria Gonzalez and Tiara Van Gerpen earned First Team honors for the team.  Gonzalez was third with a time of 16:03, while Van Gerpen was seventh in 16:28.  Earning Second Team honors were Maddie Tusha, Bri Bier, Rebekah Larson and Kelly Anderson.  Tusha was ninth with a time of 16:42, followed by Bier at 13th place in 17:11, Larson was 14th in 17:23 and Anderson ran the course in 17:23 to earn 15th place.  Maribel Zamago was 17th with a time of 17:31.

“We had 20 runners earn personal best times for the team, which is great for any meet,” said Short.

GHV/WH will run in the State Qualifying Meet, to be held in Waverly, on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Forest City Meet

The Cardinals started the week by traveling to Forest City on Monday.

The boys team ran without their top two runners, Joel Toppin and Chase Smith.

“We wanted to rest Joel and Chase for the Conference Meet on Thursday,” said Coach Jeff Short.

The boys still managed to place third in the 10-team field with 94 points.  West Fork won the meet with 39 points, followed by Osage with 49 points.

Top runners for GHV/WH were A.J. Arnold, 15th, 18:58; Derek Brown, 17th, 19:02; Anthony Siegrist, 19th, 19:07, Jonny O’Connor, 20th, 19:09; and Derek Lonneman, 23rd, 19:20.

The girls team finished in second place in the eight-team field with 51 points.  Osage won the meet with 44 points.   

Maria Gonzalez paced the girls with a fifth place finish in 16:38.  Tiara Van Gerpen and Maddie Tusha also placed in the top 10.  Van Gerpen was seventh with a time of 16:51 and Tusha was 10th in 17:18.  Also running varsity was Bri Bier, 14th, 17:41; Maribel Zamago, 15th, 17:53; Kelly Anderson, 16th, 17:43; and Taylor Glawe, 25th, 18:47.