Monticello runs to a title, and more may be coming

FORT DODGE -- A championship, for sure. A budding dynasty, perhaps.

All five of Monticello's scoring runners broke 17 minutes, and the Panthers cashed in on their 15th consecutive state-meet appearance, winning the Class 2A boys' crown Saturday afternoon at Lakeside Golf Course.

"We knew if we could have five boys in the 16s, we would have an excellent chance," said Monticello Coach Dan Sauser. "When you come here, you have to perform. If you don't, you can be the best team and not win."

The Panthers performed.

Four runners finished in the top 20 as Monticello scored 73 points. Gilbert was second with 88, Iowa City Regina third with 113.

That's the school's second title (the other came in 2007). It might not be the last.

Of the seven runners, six return next year. The leaders -- Michael Melchert (fifth place) and Ben Alrichs (13th) are sophomores.

"We hope to win at least two more," Alrichs said.

Melchert called it "a great feeling. To be with your brothers, winning together, it's amazing. We've pushed each other to get better every day."

J.J. Frawley finished 16th, Tiler Streets 18th.

Spirit Lake's Keith Byers and Will Norris were first and second, in 15:36 and 15:48.

Unity Christian was the 2A girls' champion with 80 points. Iowa City Regina was second with 105, its best finish ever.

"I'm so proud of these kids, the girls and the boys," said Regina Coach Chad Swope. "The kids always do a really good job. All I have to do is get the bus here on time."

Mariah Kauder of Cascade was second to Gilbert's Sadie Timms in the girls' race. Timms won in 14:50. Kauder, who led through 2 miles, was next in 14:55.

Kauder, a junior, was fourth at the regional meet last week. Last year, she was 31st at regionals and did not qualify for state.

"I definitely wanted to finish in the top five today," she said. "My training has been great. I wasn't planning on leading the race, but I felt good, and I figured if I was going to (have a chance to win), it felt like the right time to get out."

Brittany Frush of Union was fourth in the girls' race.

Results

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