23 years later, Cougars return to the top

FORT DODGE — Once upon a time, state cross country championships were routine for Bob Davidshofer and Cascade High School.

The Cougars were a dynasty in the 1980s, and Davidshofer was the architect.

Saturday, the Cascade girls made Davidshofer a championship coach for the 15th time, but the first since 1992, when they dethroned River Valley Conference rival Monticello, 76-84, for the Class 2A crown. South Winneshiek was third, Williamsburg fifth.

'They used to win it all the time,' Becca McDermott said. 'We wanted this so bad. This was the year to win it. When we found out we won, we were all crying. Even Coach was crying.'

Davidshofer, 76, is in his 51st year of coaching — first at Cascade Aquin (three-time boys' champs), then at Cascade, which won eight girls' titles and three boys' titles from 1983 to 1992.

So it means something when he says, 'I think this group of girls has as good a work ethic as any team I've ever had,' and 'These girls improved more than any team I've ever had.'

Monticello sophomore Paige Holub repeated as the 2A girls' individual champion, cruising through the course in 18:54. McDermott, a junior, was the runner-up for the third time in 19:10.

'I knew I had to spend it all out there,' Holub said. 'I didn't want any regrets.'

Like all Iowa girls, Holub transitioned from 4,000 to 5,000 meters this year.

'It took me a while to adjust,' she said. 'I guess I adjusted at the right time.'

McDermott said, 'Paige is amazing. I stuck with her for almost two miles, then she got away a little bit.'

Williamsburg's Julie Hollensbe was fourth, Anamosa's Emma Duncan was eighth, Keeley Anderson of Monticello was 10th.

Garner-Hayfield/Ventura took the boys' crown with 59 points. Unity Christian was second with 79, followed by Monticello (86) and Mid-Prairie (130).

C.J. May of Aplington-Parkersburg ran to the individual title in 15:55. Chase Smith of GHV was next, 12 seconds back.

Matt Manternach of Monticello finished fourth.

'I started out well, then my side started hurting,' Manternach said. 'I had to slow down. C.J. and Chase, they kept their pace fast through the second mile.'

STATE CROSS COUNTRY MEET

Saturday, at Fort Dodge (Lakeside Golf Course)

CLASS 2A GIRLS

Teams — 1. Cascade 76, 2. Monticello 84, 3. South Winneshiek 90, 4. Osage 120, 5. Williamsburg 143, 6. Unity Christian 192, 7. Pocahontas Area 207, 8. Mid-Prairie 213, 9. North Polk 245, 10. Dike-New Hartford 252, 11. Shenandoah-Essex 255, 12. Mediapolis 286, 13. Grundy Center/Gladbrook-Reinbeck 289, 14. Western Christian 320, 15. Southeast Valley 325.

Individuals — 1. Paige Holub (Monticello), 18:54; 2. Becca McDermott (Cascade), 19:10; 3. Karley Larson (Underwood), 19:15; 4. Julie Hollensbe (Williamsburg), 19:17; 5. Jordan Winke (Albia), 19:19; 6. Suzanne Putze (WC-KP), 19:21; 7. Haley Fye (East Marshall), 19:23; 8. Emma Duncan (Anamosa), 19:25; 9. Ellie Friesen (Osage), 19:25; 10. Keeley Anderson (Monticello), 19:29; 11. Josie Kriener (South Winneshiek), 19:37; 12. Oksana Covey (Des Moines Christian), 19:47; 13. Felicity Taylor (South Winneshiek), 19:47; 14. Anna Hostetler (Mid-Prairie), 19:47; 15. Shelby Reicks (South Winneshiek), 19:56.

CLASS 2A BOYS

Teams — 1. Garner-Hayfield/Ventura 59, 2. Unity Christian 79, 3. Monticello 86, 4. Mid-Prairie 130, 5. Eagle Grove 154, 6. North Polk 155, 7. Clear Lake 197, 8. East Marshall 213, 9. Williamsburg 250, 10. Aplington-Parkersburg 264, 11. Southeast Valley 267, 12. Waukon 294, 13. Tipton 310, 14. Davis County 333, 15. Woodward Academy 352.

Individuals — 1. C.J. May (Aplington-Parkersburg), 15:55; 2. Chase Smith (Garner GHV), 16:07; 3. John Crew (Dike-New Hartford), 16:18; 4. Matt Manternach (Monticello), 16:23; 5. Reece Smith (Garner GHV), 16:23; 6. Gable Sieperda (GLR-Central Lyon), 16:29; 7. Jacob Vander Plaats (Unity Christian), 16:32; 8. Nick Meling (East Marshall), 16:34; 9. Schuyler Malenke (Unity Christian), 16:38; 10. Tristan Hulstein (Western Christian), 16:42; 11. Austin Smith (North Polk), 16:43; 12. Spencer Warehime (Southeast Valley), 16:47; 13. Logan Dalbeck (Garner GHV), 16:48; 14. Josh Keller (Columbus Comm.), 16:48; 15. Danny Halva (North Fayette Valley), 16:51.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com