Both the Lynnville-Sully boys and girls cross-country teams are on to State! Front row, left to right, Breah Lowry, Emma Parkinson, Peyton Sharp, Olivia Norrish, Mandeesa Vos, Abigail Ver Ploeg. Middle, Jordan Dunsbergen, Colton Alberts, Ethan Dunsbergen, Madden Gunsaulus; back, Andrew Arkema, Blake Wilmesmeier, Samuel Terlouw, Hendrick Lowry, Evan Arkema, Will Conover, and Keegan Schnell.
Pella Christian Bailey Vos
It was another history-making, memorable week of blazing the trails for the Lynnville-Sully and Pella Christian cross-country teams. For the third time in Lynnville-Sully history and second time in PC history, both the boys and girls cross-country teams punched tickets to the State Cross-Country Meet.
At the State-Qualifying Meet Thursday, Oct. 24, the L-S girls and boys teams both placed second to advance. The Hawks were led by Mandeesa Vos, the only L-S female top-10 finisher, and Colton Alberts, who both finished third. Two other Hawks finished in the top-10 for the Hawks – Hendrick Lowry, who crossed the finish line in fifth, and Blake Wilmesmeier, who grabbed ninth place.
The night was historic and memorable in more ways than just the dual team qualification. For L-S, 2024 will mark the first time in 29 years and third time in school history that both the boys and girls qualified as a team for State in the same year. The last time L-S accomplished such a feat in 1995 included coach Darin Arkema and his wife, Anna (Conover) Arkema, on the Hawks’ XC roster.
The PC girls also finished in second as a team to earn a team qualification.
The Eagles’ Bailey Vos, a rural Sully resident, became a three-time State Qualifier by crossing the finish line in fourth.
L-S and PC athletes will compete at the State Cross-Country Meet on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Lake-side Golf Course in Fort Dodge.
