PCM girls clinch spot in state cross country meet

RED OAK — After coming up just one point short of a state berth last season, the PCM girls cross country team would not be denied this fall. And the Class 2A No. 8 Mustangs made sure it wasn’t close, too.

All five scoring runners finished in the top 15, two were in the top 10 and PCM finished second in the team standings with 52 points on Thursday. The Mustangs also were 11 points better than sixth-ranked Albia, who qualified for state in the third spot with 63 points.

“Coming up short last year sucked so it’s good we got it done,” junior Abi Teeter said. “My eighth grade year we had four girls out. Now we have 12.”

The top three teams and 15 individuals qualify for the state meet in 2A. But 12 of the 15 spots were taken by runners from the three qualifying teams so an extra three berths were handed out.

It was the second-ever state berth for the PCM girls and the first since 2017 when the Mustangs placed third in Pella.

While the PCM girls qualified as a team, the boys came up short facing a stacked field. But Coby DeRaad heads back to state after placing 13th in the boys’ 5K race.

Class 2A No. 1 Van Meter won the girls’ team championship and clinched its sixth straight state berth after scoring 30 points. The Bulldogs placed four in the top seven, including race winner and second-ranked Laura Streck.

It’s virtually impossible to not qualify for state as a team if the five scoring runners are in the top 15, but the Mustangs would have had five individual qualifiers had they not qualified as a team.

Lila Milani led the team in fifth. She posted a time of 21 minutes, 7.1 seconds. It was her second straight state berth.

“I got out too fast on accident. I was just hoping to be consistent with each mile, but the hills didn’t allow that to happen,” Milani said. “The hills were horrible.”

Darbey DeRaad made her state qualifying debut and placed eighth with a time of 21:46.23. Abi Teeter clinched her second state berth in 12th with a time of 22:12.4.

The final scoring runners were Annie Ford (22:15.18) and Bailey Wheeler (22:25.18) in 12th and 13th, respectively.

Raegan Vannoy (23:42.42) and Ali Hilsabeck (24:27.29) were non-scoring runners in 26th and 31st, respectively.

There were five ranked females in the field and the final qualifying time was 22:59.83.

“It was hard and very hilly. We had to compete. We earned it for sure,” Ford said. “I was trying to not run the hills too hard. I wanted to conserve some energy so I could be faster on the third mile.”

The Mustangs were one of the favorites to advance to state this year. But on the course, they simply tried to stay in front of or pass anyone in blue.

After Van Meter, PCM and Albia at the top, Interstate 35 finished fourth with 108 points. Three of those four teams wear blue.

“We were always looking for blue in front of us,” Ford said. “The second we saw them, we just tried to catch them and go get them. We knew they would be a key to the day.”

The rest of the nine-team field featured Clarinda (143), Shenandoah (155), Okoboji (173), Greene County (235) and Chariton (244). There were four incomplete teams, including host Red Oak.

Streck won the race girls’ race in 19:17.51. Class 2A No. 6 McKenna Montgomery of Albia was the runner-up in 19:45.79.

The Blue Demons had three runners in the top 15. The other individual qualifiers came from Clarke (2), Interstate 35, Clarinda and Shenandoah.

Teeter battled through a lot of adversity this season. Aside from competing with Cystic Fibrosis her entire career, she also started the season with blisters and was diagnosed with pneumonia during the season.

“I didn’t how to feel yesterday. I got sick and was diagnosed with pneumonia and was out for a few weeks,” Teeter said. “I had really bad blisters to start the year and a new coach, too. There was a lot of adversity this year.

“Having my teammates is what got me through it. I leaned on them. They were a big part of our success and my success.”

Coby DeRaad said he entered the state qualifying meet seeded outside the top 15. But found a way to get back to Fort Dodge as he finished 13th in 18:12.72.

The Mustangs were sixth as a team, but there were five ranked teams. Class 2A No. 6 Chariton won the meet with 44 points. Fifth-ranked Okoboji (81) and 16th-ranked Sheldon (110) were the other two team qualifiers. No. 19 Van Meter (125) and No. 20 Red Oak (128) completed the top five but did not advance to state.

“We got put in a tough district. It is what it is,” Coby DeRaad said. “I didn’t have anyone picked out. I had to run with a certain group of people and then it comes down to who has the most guts. I just went in determined that I was going to be that person. I convinced myself mentally that I had no other choice.”

DeRaad, who said he was in about 25th after the first mile, felt like his experience running in a state qualifier helped him. It was the first state qualifying meet for teammates Kash Fischer and Owen Osterhaus. Fischer placed 19th in 18:28.13 and Osterhaus took 24th in 18:48.49.

The 15th and final qualifying runner finished the race in 18:17.56. The boys’ field included six ranked runners.

“I’ve had training partners and buddies I’ve gotten closer with who have pushed me more than I have ever been pushed before,” Coby DeRaad said about his teammates. “It’s helped me get over the top. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am.”

The final two scoring runners for PCM were Joe Shaver (20:16.42) in 48th and Rylan Edgington (20:16.47) in 49th. Kolby Clark (20:34.37) and Charlie Ford (20:38.80) were non-scoring runners in 52nd and 55th, respectively.

Class 2A No. 5 Kyle Wagoner won the boys’ race in 16:48.89 and 2A No. 13 Evan Osler of Okoboji was the runner-up in 17:26.99.

Coby DeRaad is looking forward to getting a bit of redemption at state this time around. He was 101st in 2A last season. He will start the state course in Box 16.

“It’s an honor to be back. It’s something you dream of,” Coby DeRaad said. “I had a bad experience last year. I’m looking to prove to myself almost that I can run well there. That one race isn’t going to define me. I want to be top 50. I want to compete better than last year.”

The PCM girls will be in Box 18 for the girls’ state race. The Mustangs will be close to Albia and Van Meter, who will start in Boxes 17 and 19, respectively.

“I think we’re a top-eight team. 100 percent,” Teeter said. “Our goal has always been to beat Albia and get PRs. We just want to run our best race and get after it. I know the freshmen are nervous, but that’s normal. We all should be a little nervous. Nerves are good.”

Ford and Darbey DeRaad both admitted to feeling nervous for the state meet. Without any seniors on this year’s varsity roster, the Mustangs can use the experience to prepare them for next season, too.

“I think it’s going to be great. Our team works well together, and I’m excited that we all get to keep running,” Darbey DeRaad said. “It’s a very different atmosphere. I need to be ready for anything to happen. I just want to do my best.”

Milani didn’t have any goals for the state meet last year as she was new to the sport and just qualifying was a great cap to the season. She placed 79th in the girls’ race as a freshman.

“Last year I was alone so I’m excited to be able to experience this with my teammates,” Milani said. “I didn’t have any goals last year really, but it’s different this year. We are going up there to compete. It’s not just another race.”

The girls’ state field includes No. 1 Van Meter, No. 2 Mid-Prairie, No. 3 Tipton, No. 4 Forest City and No. 5 Unity Christian. Others in the 15-team field include No. 6 Albia, No. 13 Pella Christian and No. 17 Roland-Story.

The Mustangs have wins over Pella Christian, Roland-Story and Albia this season.