Sports
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Boys’ Cross Country strives for improvement The Xavier cross country boys’ team participated in the Cascade Invite and the Eastern Iowa Classic on Friday, Sepember. 14 and Thursday, September 20. The Cascade Invite consisted of many schools that were similar in size to Xavier, making it an important meet to compete in. At the meet, the boys’ team improved by placing fourth with 117 points. The top finishers for the team included junior Jacob Schmitt, 18:00, who ranked fourteenth overall, sophomore Luke Koechner, 18:09, and senior Grant Hunt, 18:30. “I think we could have done a little bit better at the Cascade Invite, but we definitely have improved. Everyone is pushing each other to do their best, as our team goal is to go to state,” Koechner said. The next meet wore out his determination. On September 20, the boys’ team participated in the Eastern Iowa Classic, settling for sixth place overall.
Schmitt led the boys’ team again by grabbing first for the team, and twenty-third overall with a new personal record of 17:06. On Schmitt’s heels was Koechner with a time of 17:09. He placed twenty-fourth overall while Hunt came in thirty third overall turning in a time of 17:18. “I was really impressed that everyone ran very well at the Eastern Iowa Classic. So many people broke their personal records which was great,” Schmitt said. The next four runners in for the Saints were freshman Evan Gradoville, 17:29; freshman Steven Culpepper, 17:31; senior Zach Schowalter, 18:08; and sophomore Evan Bednar, 18:19. The boys’ cross country team will run again at the Clinton Classic Saturday, Sept. 29, and on Thursday, Oct. 4, at the MVC Super Meet. Shannon Mulcahey Sports Writer
Xavier High School
Girls’ Cross Country continues success
The Xavier High School cross country girls’ team continued to improve their season by participating in the Cascade Invite, held on Friday, September 14 and the Eastern Iowa Classic on Thursday, September 20. At the Cascade Invite, the girls placed third out of fifteen in their division with 114 points. They trailed first-place Davenport Assumption with 32 points and second-place Mount VernonLisbon with 104 points. Xavier freshman Jenny Dickes placed third overall with a time of 16:21, she was followed by eleventh place by junior Marinna Schroud who ran a 16:39. Sophomore Maddy Bailey placed twentyeighth with a time of 17:28. “This is my first year doing cross country, although I have participated in track. The upperclassmen have really helped me do my best and they have taught me the important things on cross country basics,” Dickes said. On Thursday, September
Iowa State vs Iowa vs UNI
ISU: Drew Scott
Why are you a fan?
What do you predict their record will be?
Which Iowa team do you like the least?
“I have been raised to bleed red and gold since birth.”
“They have their toughest games ahead of them so probably like 8-4.”
“Iowa”
Connor Collins Sports Writer
U of I: Paco Garcia
“I love to tailgate and the atmosphere at Kinnick is great!”
“Because my sister went to UNI” UNI: Shane Herder
“They just lost to Central Michigan so like 4-8. What the heck is a Chippewa anyway?”
“7 wins, 5 losses”
“UNI just because Shane likes them; I really grind his gears!”
“Iowa because of their fans. For example, Paco Josue Garcia.” Design: Connor Collins
Junior Lauren Smith and senior Eileen Fagan outrun the competition in a cross county meet at Prarie. Meghan Gerke Photo 20, the girls also took part in the Eastern Iowa Classic, which was held in the Dubuque Soccer Complex. The girls’ cross country teamcame in fourthoverall. Dickes grabbed eleventh place overall with an improved time of 15:26. Schroud also broke her personal record and turned in a time of 15:47. Pitz came in third for the Xavier team with a time of 16:12. Smith said, “The Cascade Invite improved each person as a runner because of the difficult course. At the Eastern Iowa Classic, most of the team was able to beat their personal records.” The Xavier girls’ team will now move on to participate in the Clinton Classic on Saturday, September 29, it starts at 9:30 a.m. They will also run in the MVC Super Meet on Thursday, October 4, at 3:30 p.m. Shannon Mulcahey Sports Writer