Liberty’s Keegan Decker heads back to state cross country as a title hopeful, but won’t be going solo

IOWA CITY — With good reason, Keegan Decker figured he would be running at the state cross country meet next week. He’d been there twice already, after all.

The fact that he’ll have company — his whole team — now, that’s a welcome bonus.

“I’m thrilled,” he said after pulling away late to win the boys’ individual title at Wednesday’s Class 4A state-qualifying meet at Kickers Soccer Complex.

“Pretty much all season, Coach (Josh Hildebrand) told us to trust the process, that it would show up on state-qualifying day.”

Hildebrand knew. The Bolts finished seven points ahead of Cedar Rapids Kennedy for the third spot.

Dubuque Senior won it with 50 points, followed by Iowa City High (60) and Liberty (73). Kennedy tallied 80.

A junior, Decker finished third at state last year. He could climb higher. Maybe to the pinnacle.

“My goal is to go out and win it,” he said. “(Cedar Falls Jaden) Merrick is the big guy; we’ve been back and forth all season. A lot of guys could be in the mix.”

Decker was clocked in 15:27. Kennedy’s duo of Adam Gray and Slader Buckheister were second and third in 15:53 and 16:00.

“I kind of expected to be by myself,” said Decker, who was followed closely by Gray for more than 2 miles. “He ran a great race. I pushed the middle of the race to see if I could let him go.”

Senior won with four guys in the top 11. Linus McRoberts’ fourth-place effort led City High.

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A 2-4-6 effort by senior Abigail Burns, junior Grace Hamann and Eliza Doster sent City High to the girls’ championship.

The Little Hawks tallied 38 points. Dubuque Senior (47) and Ames (54) were the other qualifiers.

“It’s great having Grace and Eliza up there with me,” Burns said. “If we can train together, we can race together.”

Senior’s Emma Chesterman claimed individual honors, finishing in 18:22. Burns was next is 18:36.

“We know this course really well,” Burns said. “We know where to push, where other teams might fall back a little.

Doster was clocked in 19:05, Doster in 19:20.

City is ranked No. 5, and hopes to climb a bit higher.

“I think we’re in a good position,” Burns said. “The ultimate goal as a team is to podium (top three). If we have a great race, we can definitely do that.”

The 4A state competition is Saturday, Nov. 1 at Lakeside Golf Course, Fort Dodge. The girls race at 10:30 a.m., the boys at 11:15.

Class 4A State Qualifying Meet

At Iowa City (Kickers Soccer Complex)

(Top 3 teams, top 15 individuals advance to the state meet)

Girls Results

TEAMS

1. Iowa City High 38, 2. Dubuque Senior 47, 3. Ames 54, 4. Iowa City West 101, 5. Iowa City Liberty 132, 6. Ottumwa 207, 7. C.R. Kennedy 211, 8. C.R. Washington 223, 9. C.R. Jefferson 251.

INDIVIDUAL STATE QUALIFIERS

1. Emma Chesterman (Dbq Senior), 18:22; 2. Abigail Burns (City), 18:36; 3. Emma Stanley (Ames), 18:58; 4. Grace Hamann (City), 19:05; 5. Naya Nakama (Ames), 19:13; 6. Eliza Doster (City), 19:20; 7. Briel Bechen (Dbq Senior), 19:41; 8. Adrienne Hodge (IC West), 19:59; 9. Ophelia Harrelson (Ames), 20:01; 10. Neveah Kessler (Dbq Senior), 20:02; 11. Chelsea VeDepo (Liberty), 20:05; 12. Calissa Fruin (City), 20:06; 13. Lisa Hoyer (Dbq Senior), 20:08; 14. Lucy Sherburne (City), 20:08; 15. Dominique Whaley (Ames), 20:08.

Also: 17. Ava Twait (IC West), 20:18; 20. Ellie DeWaard (IC West), 20:29; 24. Aleah Williams (Liberty), 20:55.

Boys Results

TEAMS

1. Dubuque Senior 50, 2. Iowa City High 60, 3. Iowa City Liberty 73, 4. C.R. Kennedy 80, 5. Ames 108, 6. Iowa City West 113, 7. C.R. Washington 234, 8. C.R. Jefferson 236, 9. Ottumwa 277.

INDIVIDUAL STATE QUALIFIERS

1. Keegan Decker (Liberty), 15:27; 2. Adam Gray (Kennedy), 15:53; 3. Slader Buckheister (Kennedy), 16:00; 4. Linus McRoberts (City), 16:12; 5. Michael Hanna (IC West), 16:20; 6. Owen Anderson (Dbq Senior), 16:20; 7. Liam Kroger (Dbq Senior), 16:20; 8. David Randall (City), 16:26; 9. Jack Kirman (Dbq Senior), 16:30; 10. Tayson Cho (Liberty), 16:30; 11. Grady Kroger (Dbq Senior), 16:32; 12. Lars Hildebrand (Liberty), 16:34; 13. Jake Weiler (IC West), 16:35; 14. Emmett Palmberg (City), 16:37; 15. Caleb Boltes (Ames), 16:41.

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Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com