ACGC Cross Country Teams Both Head to State Meet

The ACGC cross country teams turned in outstanding performances yesterday at the state qualifying meet as both the girls' and boys' teams qualified for the state meet to be held in Fort Dodge next week.

With the girls competing first at the Panorama par three golf course, they were somewhat of a surprise with their second place finish. The top ranked boys lived up to their reputation as they captured the title, with all seven of the Charger runners finishing in the top fifteen.

The only team to beat the girls was Logan-Magnolia which is ranked first among class 1A teams. Ava Campbell paced the Charger girls with her fourth place finish in a time of 21:15 over the five kilometer course. Hayden Coffman was the second Charger to cross the finish line when she came in seventh with a time of 21:43. Adalyn Benson was also recorded in 21:43 for eight place. Also figuring in the ACGC scoring was Paige Van Meter (23rd place; 23:21), and Jayla Hoover (33rd; 24:18). Katelyn Schafer (34th; 24:24) and Kiersten Knobbe (42nd, 25:38) rounded out the Charger performances.

Following the girls' meet, the boys took to the course and showed why it is the top ranked team in class 1A. With dependable Trevin Suhr leading the way, ACGC was able to capture places 1, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, and 15. With the top five runners counting in the team score, the Chargers totaled forty three points to outpace conference rival Ogden which placed second with sixty five.

Suhr's time of 16:44 bested the second place runner from Madrid by twenty nine seconds. (The WCAC demonstrated why it may be the best 1A cross county conference in the state when seven of the top ten runners were from conference schools.) ACGC's Andrew Mahaffey placed eighth in 17:40 and Justin Reinhart was right behind in ninth place with a time of 17:44. Also figuring in the team score were Lance Bunde (12th; 18:13), and Kaden Thompson (13th; 18:16). Fourteenth and fifteenth also belonged to the Chargers with Bo Arrasmith and Noah Kading running the course in 18:22 and 18:26 respectively.

"This is the third time the Chargers have run at Panorama, but this was the most important because it was our state qualifying meet for both genders," a very pleased Charger coach Colin Shawgo commented.

"The girls ran very well and were able to get three individuals--Ava Campbell, Hayden Coffman, and Adalyn Benson--to qualify for the state meet. The team as a whole also gets to compete at state as they finished second.

"The Charger boys came into this meet with the number one ranking in class 1A and proved why they should have such a high ranking. If they can repeat Thursday's performance in Fort Dodge, they will be the favorites to win the state title."

The Charger teams will advance to their respective state meets this Saturday which will be held at the Lakeside Municipal Golf Course at Kennedy Park north of Fort Dodge. The girls are scheduled to run at 2:30, with the boys to follow at 3:15. Go Chargers!

Girls team scores: Logan-Magnolia 39, ACGC 75, 75, South Kamilton 105, Ogden 147, Nodaway Valley 157, AHSTW 158, Madrid 168, IKM-M 176, Boyer Valley 179, Ex-EHK 234, CAM 281

Boys' team scores: ACGC 43, Ogden 65, IKM-Manning 124, Nodaway Valley 130, Madrid 143, West Monona 151, South Hamilton 156, Boyer Valley 228, Logan-Magnolia 250, CAM 270 Woodward Academy 293