The Ram cross country teams both placed seventh in the Heart of Iowa Activities Conference meet hosted Monday by North Polk (Alleman).
“The Heart of Iowa Conference is tough year in and year out,” coach Jeff Lamoureux said. “Gilbert and North Polk lead the way but competition is tough from top to bottom.”
Lamoureux said he’s seen much improvement from the entire team. “I am very proud of their improvement this season,” he added.
North Polk won the boys conference title with 32 points and an average time of 17:06. Gilbert also compiled a score of 32, but placed second based on tie-breaking factors. Gilbert runners’ average time was 17:14.
Other team scores were Nevada 102; Roland-Story 105; South Hamilton 123; PCM 1645; Greene County 172; and Saydel 219. The Rams’ average time was 19:22, faster than PCM’s average time of 19:37.
North Polk had four conference medalists, including first place finisher Zach Sporaa with a time of 16:18. Gilbert had five medalists.
Logan Woodruff improved on his personal record to pace the Ram runners, finishing the race in 24th place with a time of 18:38. Other finishes and times were Luis Velazco, 33rd, 19:16; Dakota Mobley, 35th, 19:26; Ethan Frederick, 39th, 19:35; Ethan Larsen, 41st, 19:53; and Jose Velazco, 42nd, 20:37. A total of 52 runners competed in the boys race.
North Polk won the girls conference title with a score of 51 and an average time of 21:09. Gilbert was second with 54 points, followed by PCM at 83, Nevada 89, Roland-Story 89, South Hamilton 159, Greene County 171 and Saydel 219.
Ashlee Harmeyer once again paced the girls with a time of 22:58, finishing 25th in the race. Other finishes and times were Conner Allender, 31st, 23:13; Kassie Lamoureux, 32nd, 23:17; Makala Kafer, 40th, 25:11; Tieryn Tucker, 43rd, 25:57; Kayla Muir, 47th, 26:55; and Autumn Stevens, 48th, 26:55. Fifty-two runners competed in the girls race.
The Rams host an invitational cross country meet at Spring Lake Thursday, Oct. 17, for both middle school and high school teams. State qualifying meets are set for Oct. 24.
