Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s pack is more than enough at the Eastern Iowa Classic

CEDAR RAPIDS — No doubt, this is a very good team.

But it might be a few weeks until we get a true barometer on the Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys’ cross country squad.

“We need to face some of those Central Iowa teams before we’ll really know,” senior Jacob Bruns said. “And that might not be until the state meet.”

In these parts, though, it’s clear that Kennedy is a power.

The Cougars’ top five runners ran 2-3-4-5-6 in a dominating performance at the Eastern Iowa Classic on Thursday at Seminole Valley Park.

That adds up to a 20-point total, a tally that’s impossible to beat. Iowa City High was second with 54 points, followed by Iowa City West (73).

Kennedy’s pack ran behind individual champion Moustafa Tiea of Iowa City West. Tiea finished in 15 minutes, 40 seconds -- a second ahead of the Cougars’ Adam Gray -- in his first race of the season.

“We didn’t know Moustafa was going to race,” Bruns said. “He pushed the pace, and that’s not a bad thing.”

Gray was second, followed by Bruns (15:53), Henry McMahan (16:00), Reece Murray (16:12) and Slader Buckheister (16:12).

Bruns, McMahan and Murray are seniors; the other two are sophomores.

“It’s not the times we run, it’s the people around us,” Bruns said. “It’s going to be a strong end to the season.”

Kennedy finished eighth in Class 4A at the state meet and is ranked No. 6 right now, which probably is about spot on.

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West’s Kate Van Waning found herself in unfamiliar territory throughout the girls’ race.

In the front.

“This definitely felt different than other races,” she said. “I’ve never been in the lead pack before.”

For the final two miles, Van Waning was the lead pack. She finished in 19:10. Marion’s Addison Dabroski was second in 19:27, followed by Linn-Mar’s Hailey Kozloski (19:42).

“I just pretended that nobody else was in the race,” Van Waning said. “I just trusted my confidence.”

West had five runners in the top 12 and scored 42 points. Linn-Mar (64) and Marion (85) were second and third.

“We’re making big strides as a team,” Van Waning said.

Girls results

TEAMS

1. Iowa City West 42, 2. Linn-Mar 64, 3. Marion 85, 4. Center Point-Urbana 102, 5. Iowa City Regina 144, 6. C.R. Kennedy 144, 7. C.R. Washington 162.

INDIVIDUALS

1. Kate Van Waning (ICW), 19:10; 2. Addison Dabroski (Marion), 19:27; 3. Hailey Kozloski (LM), 19:42; 4. Grace Estling (CPU), 19:43; 5. Haddie LeVake (CRW), 19:48; 6. Emma Wilkerson (CPU), 19:56; 7. Cindy Wang (ICW), 20:03; 8. Ally Buck (LM), 20:17; 9. Kalli Titus (ICW), 20:20; 10. Makenna Hetrick (CRW), 20:21.

Boys results

TEAMS

1. C.R. Kennedy 20, 2. Iowa City High 54, 3. Iowa City West 73, 4. Linn-Mar 82, 5. Center Point-Urbana 152, 6. Marion 152, 7. Iowa City Regina 206, 8. C.R. Washington 236, 9. Clear Creek Amana 276.

INDIVIDUALS

1. Moustafa Tiea (ICW), 15:40; 2. Adam Gray (CRK), 15:41; 3. Jacob Bruns (CRK), 15:53; 4. Henry McMahan (CRK), 16:00; 5. Reece Murray (CRK), 16:12; 6. Slader Buckheister (CRK), 16:12; 7. Owyn Noble (ICH), 16:13; 8. Linus McRoberts (ICH), 16:24; 9. Caleb Benson (ICW), 16:30; 10. Riley Kuhn (LM), 16:30.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com