Eastern Iowa Classic cross country: It’s a West-fest atop the standings

CEDAR RAPIDS — The latest Seminole Valley Park course record lasted just two weeks.

Iowa City West’s Alex McKane lowered the boys’ bar even further Thursday, cruising to victory in 15 minutes, 17 seconds at the Eastern Iowa Cross Country Classic.

“I was talking to my coaches and some other people, and I told them where I wanted them to be on the course, spots where I might lose focus mentally,” said McKane, who won by 46 seconds. “I was really making it hurt; that’s what the sport is all about.”

McKane’s triumph capped a complete West-fest at the top of the leader boards.

Sophomore Cindy Wang, a JV runner last year, won the girls’ varsity race. And the Trojans claimed both team titles convincingly.

The Seminole Valley boys’ record was 15:39 prior to this season. Then Iowa City High’s Ford Washburn and Marion’s Shane Erb ran 15:27 and 15:29 at the Cedar Rapids Invitational on Sept 9.

And McKane lowered it even further Thursday. He was at 4:50 through one mile, 9:58 through two.

“I’ve been doing some really hard workouts. I really wanted to put it out there before our meet at Wartburg and the postseason,” McKane said. “It was a gorgeous day.”

Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Miles Wilson was second in 16:02, then West’s Seth Cheney and Caden Noeller ran 3-4 to help boost the Trojans’ 32-point effort. Kennedy was second with 47.

The 1-2 finish of Wang and Gabby Moniza lifted the West girls, who scored 27 points. Clear Creek Amana was next with 57.

Wang was credited with a finishing time of 19:02; Moniza was next at 19:24, and Annie Schwartz was fifth.

“When we ran here (two weeks ago), I had people in front of me. So today, I had to pace myself,” Wang said. “I got out well, had a really good start.”

Wang led virtually from start to finish for her first individual title.

“It motivated me that I had (Moniza) close behind. It really sparked me,” she said.

“I’m really surprised. I ran JV last year, and I did a lot of summer training. I practiced every day. I want to keep going, make my team and coach proud.”

Clear Creek Amana’s Haidyn Barker and Kira Barker were fourth and sixth.

EASTERN IOWA CROSS COUNTRY CLASSIC

At Seminole Valley Park

GIRLS RESULTS

Teams -- 1. Iowa City West 27, 2. Clear Creek Amana 57, 3. C.R. Kennedy 85, 4. Muscatine 93, 5. Davenport West 106, 6. Iowa City Regina 117, 7. C.R. Xavier 201.

Individuals -- 1. Cindy Wang (ICW), 19:02; 2. Gabby Moniza (ICW), 19:24; 3. Kylie Daily (DW), 19:30; 4. Haidyn Barker (CCA), 19:33; 5. Annie Schwartz (ICW), 19:51; 6. Kira Barker (CCA), 19:55; 7. Bethany Smeed (CRK), 20:15; 8. Sara Alaya (ICW), 20:19; 9. Mya Whitaker (ICR), 20:24; 10. Kalin Rotzoll (CCA), 20:24.

BOYS RESULTS

Teams -- 1. Iowa City West 32, 2. C.R. Kennedy 47, 3. Bettendorf 69, 4. Clear Creek Amana 88, 5. C.R. Washington 166, 6. Iowa City High 174, 7. Iowa City Regina 180, 8. Davenport West 213.

Individuals -- 1. Alex McKane (ICW), 15:17; 2. Miles Wilson (CRK), 16:03; 3. Seth Cheney (ICW), 16:34; 4. Caden Noeller (ICW), 16:36; 5. Gavin Zillyette (CCA), 16:39; 6. Henry McMahan (CRK), 16:59; 7. Jacob Bruns (CRK), 17:01; 8. Asher Overholt (ICW), 17:04; 9. Chase Wakefield (Bett), 17:05; 10. Aidan O’Neil (ICR), 17:06.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com