Panthers keep climbing at state

FORT DODGE – A repeat State Cross Country appearance for both Brielle and Braelyn Baker Saturday ended with two top 30 finishes and two new high marks in regards to placing for the Creston duo.

Brielle ran Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in a time of 20:01.5, resulting in a 24th-place finish in Class 3A after placings of 62nd her sophomore year and 44th her junior season.

“This year I tried to get out fast. I knew who I wanted to stay with and I just focused on those girls and tried to run a smart race,” said Brielle. “My goal was to get in the 25-30’s.”

Her time was her best finish in Fort Dodge of her three appearances.

“Great race from the start,” said Creston head coach Pat Schlapia. “She was her usual machine-like steady! She got out like you need to at the State Cross Country race!”

Braelyn, a sophomore, completed the State Cross Country Meet just six seconds behind her older sister, topping her 29th-place finish a year ago by one slot.

“Her last mile was the fastest! She really moved up in the last 800,” said Schlapia. “Braelyn made some major moves placewise (in the) last 800.”

Paige Davis took 84th in her first appearance at the State Meet as a sophomore and took to adjusting to a crowded, competitive field.

“Yeah, lots of nerves,” said Davis. “I was always running with people right next to me.”

Davis mentioned that she wanted to set a new personal record, which she didn’t accomplish, but Schlapia thought his sophomore runner handled herself well.

“Paige ran a very strong race! She proved she belonged,” said Schlapia. “It can be overwhelming at times.”

Davis just missed out on finishing in the top half of participants as 137 girls ran in the Class 3A race.

With gloomy weather in the minds of any returnee to Fort Dodge, the high 50 degree weather and sunshine provided what many called ‘perfect running weather.’

The three competitors marked the 17th, 18th and 19th girls to qualify for state from Creston and gave the Panthers their 10th consecutive year with a State Cross Country Meet participant.

Results –

Class 3A girls team results – 1. Wahlert, Dubuque 56; Dallas Center-Grimes 85; 3. Glenwood 171; 4. Ballard 173; 5. Bishop Heelan Catholic 180; 6. Pella 190; 7. Atlantic 210; 8. Harlan 216; 9. Grinnell 222; 10. North Polk, Alleman 229; 11. Solon 241; 12. Charles City 241; 13. Decorah 245; 14. Norwalk 275; 15. Spencer 304.

Class 3A girls individual results – 1. Janette Schraft, Glenwood, 18:22.5; 2. Adrianna Katcher, 18:30.3, Center Point-Urbana; 3. Gabby Moran, Wahlert, Dubuque, 18:51.2; 4. Ainsley Erzen, Carlisle, 18:57.4; 5. Ellie Twedt, Ballard, 19:00.2; 24. Brielle Baker, Creston, 20:01.5; 28. Braelyn Baker, Creston, 20:07.1; 84. Paige Davis, Creston, 21:15.7.