Iowa high school girls’ cross country 2021: Gazette area teams, runners to watch

A 2021 watch list for top area girls’ cross country teams and individuals.

8 area teams to watch

CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE

2020 state finish: 9th in Class 4A

Returners (5): Gabby Cortez, sr., 28th; Keirra Hess, soph., 30th; Lily Johannes, sr., 41st; Bridget Canton, soph., 89th; Alyza Koppes, sr., 114th

IOWA CITY REGINA

2020 state finish: 3rd in Class 1A

Returners (6): Mya Whitaker, jr., 31st; Natalie Franklin, sr., 65th; Josie Pursley, sr., 67th; Allison Hein, sr., 89th; Keira Sickels, soph., 113th; Josie Voss, sr., 124th

JESUP

2020 state finish: 4th in Class 2A

Returners (6): Amanda Treptow, sr., 6th; Clare Wright, soph., 9th; Natalie O’Connor, sr., 37th; Mkenna Albert, soph., 57th; Sydney Thoma, sr., 69th; Marlee Devore, sr., 96th

MID-PRAIRIE

2020 state finish: Class 2A state champion

Returners (6): Danielle Hostetler, soph., 1st; Jaden Yoder, sr., 3rd; Mitzi Evans, sr., 8th; Sydney Yoder, sr., 11th; Phoebe Shetler, soph., 34th; Abby Fleming, soph., 36th

SOLON

2020 state finish: 5th in Class 3A

Returners (6): Mary Fiala, jr., 45th; Anna Quillin, soph., 52nd; Gracie Federspiel, soph., 74th; Meghan O’Neill, sr., 85th; Ashlyn Williams, soph., 92nd; Emma Bock, sr., 102nd

SOUTH WINNESHIEK

2020 state finish: Class 1A runner-up

Returners (6): Billie Wagner, soph., 2nd; Josie Tieskoetter, soph., 25th; Eryn Sabelka, sr., 39th; Megan Hageman, jr., 50th; Ella Willey, jr., 102nd; Anna Dietzenbach, jr., 105th

TIPTON

2020 state finish: Class 2A runner-up

Returners (6): Alivia Edens, soph., 20th; Rebecca Hinderaker, soph., 24th; Alyssa Mente, sr., 35th; Addie Nerem, soph., 43rd; Chloe Klabo, soph., 63rd; Coryn Wallick, jr., 88th

WILLIAMSBURG

2020 state finish: 3rd in Class 2A

Returners (6): Ruth Jennings, sr., 7th; Zada Buchholtz, soph., 18th; Taylor Winegarden, sr., 28th; Macey Kent, soph., 53rd; Kendra Eichhorn, sr., 58th; Natalie Bemer, jr., 59th

The top 12 returning area individuals

Based on times and places at the 2020 state meet.

Ashlyn Keeney, sr., Iowa City Liberty — Placed 9th in 4A, 18:34

Rebecca Anderson, jr., Decorah — Placed 6th in 3A, 19:05

Danielle Hostetler, soph., Mid-Prairie — Class 2A champion, 19:08

Haley Meyer, sr., Lansing Kee — Class 1A champion, 19:11

Billie Wagner, jr., South Winneshiek — Class 1A runner-up, 19:19

Jalyssa Blazek, sr., Turkey Valley — Placed 3rd in 1A, 19:30

Gabby Cortez, sr., Cedar Rapids Prairie — Placed 28th in 4A, 19:34

Keirra Hess, soph., Cedar Rapids Prairie — Placed 30th in 4A, 19:37

Jaden Yoder, sr., Mid-Prairie — Placed 3rd in 2A, 19:38

Amanda Treptow, sr., Jesup — Placed 6th in 2A, 19:47

Lily Johannes, sr., Cedar Rapids Prairie — Placed 41st in 4A, 19:48

Kora Katcher, jr., Center Point-Urbana — Placed 18th in 3A, 19:52

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com