Benzing, Smock 2nd in 3A races

FORT DODGE -- The first defeat of Lauren Benzing's cross country career was a blur.

"The race went by so fast," she said. "I couldn't believe it when I got to the 2-mile mark."

Last year's Class 2A state champion, Benzing settled for second in the 3A race Saturday afternoon at Lakeside Golf Course. Dallas Center-Grimes' Madison Waymire won it in 14:09; Benzing finished in 14:30.

Benzing, who did not go out for cross country until her sophomore year, was undefeated all of last season and throughout this season until Saturday.

"(Waymire) and I ran together for the first mile or so, and she seemed really strong," Benzing said. "She took off like a bullet."

Dubuque Wahlert's girls and Pella's boys were 3A champions.

Wahlert earned its third consecutive title, compiling 94 points. Davenport Assumption was second with 115 points, followed by Pella (118) and Solon (127).

The top four boys' teams were within 18 points. Pella won it with 85, followed by Decorah (100), Wahlert (112) and Mount Vernon-Lisbon (113).

Saturday marked the end of a tremendous high school cross country career by Mount Vernon-Lisbon's Conner Smock, who ran to runner-up honors in 15:33. Zach Buchheit of Pella captured the crown in 15:10, an effort that tied for No. 5 all-time in state-meet competition.

In his four state meets, Smock finished 11th, second, fourth and second.

"I had a good run, but the team finish was just as important. Maybe even more so," Smock said.

Patrick Larson of Decorah was fifth, Lukas Mees of Marion finished seventh.

"Top 10 was the goal," Mees said. "It seemed I'd been getting slower -- I'd been sick the last week and a half -- but I felt strong. It was the easiest third mile I've ever run."

Marion was eighth in the boys' team race.

Laura Nuernberger of Maquoketa was fourth in the girls' competition.

Results

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