Creston cross country celebrates season

Creston High cross country program held its team banquet Sunday at the high school.

Coach Maggie Arnold hopes the program can grow and participants can use their skills and conditioning in cross country for other Creston sports.

“We had a senior-heavy girls team this year and are looking for any and all Creston High School students who are not participating in another fall sport to be out for cross country next fall,” said coach Maggie Arnold. “Get in contact with me early and often about what you can do to be prepared for next season. I am calling on the returning athlete to make sure the word gets out about what cross country is and how it is for everyone.”

Arnold said the boys team continues to build and looks to improve in both numbers and performance next year.

“Same thing, we have low numbers for a Hawkeye 10 school and we need to increase participation in the sport. It is a great spring board to winter sports and will assist in getting in shape before that season starts,” she said.

Arnold had various awards for the teams: Most Improved- Jesh Villalpando

Participant Award: Allen Kendrick

Varsity Letters- (compete and finish 50% of the varsity races on the regular season schedule or make the varsity lineup for the post-season competitions)

1st Letter: Jesh Villalpando, Owen Weis

2nd Letter: Christian Ahrens, Anthony Eblen, Gabe Hopkins

3rd Letter: Carson Smith

4th Letter: Riley Wipperman

Senior Recognition: Carson Smith, Riley Wipperman.

All-Academic Recognition

Boys team (3.592) had a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and above (IAHSAA)

Girls

Most Improved- Aileen Villalpando

Manager Letters: Savanna Davis, Lila Berning

Participant Awards: Legna Villalpando

Varsity Letters:

1st Letter: Aileen Villalpando

2nd Letter: Payton Davis, Tristen Rice

4th Letter: Riley DeGonia, Emma Pantini, Autumn Stafford, Sydney Strunk, Mallory Wilson

Senior Recognition: Riley DeGonia, Emma Pantini, Tristen Rice, Autumn Stafford, Sydney Strunk, Aileen Villalpando, Legna Villlalpando, Mallory Wilson

All-Academic Recognition IGHSAU Award. GPA 3.25 and above (3.445)

Team Awards: Brandon Gale Award (manager displaying commitment and above & beyond expectations); Lila Berning and Savanna Davis

Chris Wyatt Award (senior athlete that displays an expectation exceeding work ethic and attitude. Shows a passion for the sport of cross country) Sydney Strunk.