North Cedar’s Bell, Fields off to state

CLARENCE - What do the years 2000, 1995, 1994, 1943 and 1937 have in common with 2015?

The answer is these were the years the North Cedar community schools had a male runner qualify for state cross country.

Tim Bell, a senior, and Tessa Fields, a sophomore, have qualified for state meet, which will be held on Saturday in Fort Dodge. Fields finished 26th at state last year and was named first-team al-district.

Both runners have shaved one to two minutes off their time from the beginning of the season and plan to do their best at state.

Setting goals is a big part of every athlete's regime and Bell set his goal to run at state at the beginning of the season. His inspiration for running has come from his mother, who became disabled. In school Bell carries a gallon jug of water with him to drink during the day to keep hydrated and after school he practices as hard as he can in preparation for the state meet.

'I listen to my coach and trust him,” Bell said of his training methods.

Fields shared similar goals and a mother who has influenced her choice to run. She began running after the former coach Dain Jeppson talked to her in eighth grade and encouraged her to try out for cross country.

'My mom was a very good runner in high school and I have always wanted to try and beat her,” Fields said.

She doesn't know if her previous experience as a state qualifier will help her because the race distance changed from a 4K to a 5K this year.

Jokingly Fields said at least 'I wouldn't be clueless” this time.

'My goal for Saturday is to run a personal best trying for a top 10 finish and leave it all out there,” she said.

Both runners will have tough competition because North Cedar is in a very competitive district. It takes a lot of work and effort to qualify for the state cross country meet, so with their mother's wishes of luck maybe Bell and Fields can make 2015 the year for cross country at North Cedar.