Menninga’s career-best time headlines Newton boys XC at Fort Dodge

FORT DODGE — Four personal-best times from runners on the Newton boys’ cross country team led to a 20th-place finish at the Fort Dodge Cross Country Invitational on Thursday.

But only because the field of 27 teams included 14 ranked programs in Class 4A, three ranked squads in 3A and a 1A ranked team.

“We ran against the toughest teams in the state,” Newton boys cross country coach Steve Weeks said. “It was a great night. I cannot express how proud I am. Finishing 20th out of 27 teams is solid, and we beat an extra team on top of our goal.”

The Cardinals scored 632 points in 20th. They were better than Mason City (633), Ballard (657), 1A No. 8 Fort Dodge St. Edmond (675), Fort Dodge (709), Sioux City East (782), Sioux City Heelan (790) and Manson Northwest Webster (852).

Landon Menninga returned to the top of the Cardinals’ lineup with a personal-best time of 17 minutes, 17.4 seconds. He was 95th overall.

“It was so good get Landon back on course tonight, and his time means we need to change the all-time leader board at NHS,” Weeks said.

Class 4A No. 1 Jackson Heidesch of Dowling Catholic won the boys’ 5K race in 15:10.7. Class 4A No. 5 Gabe Nash of Sioux City North was the runner-up in 15:21.6.

Leo Friedman was the second Cardinal to finish and he was 127th with a personal-best time of 17:36.4.

Jesus Murillo and Lance Zaabel also registered personal-best times in the varsity race.

Javin Doland finished 155th in 18:01.6, Murillo took 175th in 18:32.1 and Presley Arnold was the final scoring runner in 180th with a time of 18:40.

“I’m impressed with how Jesus Murillo has been climbing up our team ladder,” Weeks said. “Originally the seventh runner on the seven-roster varsity team, he became the sixth finisher who was the deciding factor on winning the team a tiebreaker, and how he’s sprung himself into the fourth position with everyone healthy. He just silently does all the work he is asked and we are seeing the benefits.”

The rest of the varsity lineup and non-scoring runners included Collin Buchli (18:44.3) in 184th, Christian Buchli (18:44.9) in 186th, Zaabel (19:14.5) in 202nd, Asher Wood (19:38.6) in 208th and Cole Walter (20:25) in 219th.

“Ultimately this team is performing amazingly when others would have expected a rebuilding year, but under the captains’ leadership of Collin Buchli, Leo Friedman and Landon Menninga we are sneakily positioning ourselves from being just an upset or two away from returning to the state meet. The times don’t seem to be there yet, but we tend to peak at districts.”

Class 4A No. 1 Dowling Catholic won the boys’ meet title with 55 points. Class 4A No. 2 Norwalk (128), 4A No. 3 Johnston (133), 4A No. 7 Ankeny (154) and 4A No. 8 West Des Moines Valley (168) completed the top five.

Class 3A No. 9 Carlisle (357) finished 13th, 3A No. 7 Glenwood (358) was 14th, 3A No. 11 Council Bluffs Lewis Central (456) came in 16th and 3A No. 14 ADM (543) finished 19th.