Oelwein’s Conall Sauser, Tipton’s Noelle Steines run to titles at Anamosa Invitational cross country meet

ANAMOSA — Conall Sauser had a win under his belt and a fairly large jug of apple juice in his hand.

Life was pretty darn good for the Oelwein High School senior.

“It was a really fun race,” Sauser said after outdueling Maquoketa Valley’s Matthew Schaul in the final meters to claim individual honors at the Anamosa Invitational cross country meet Saturday morning at Anamosa Middle School.

“Schaul ... me and him are pretty tight. It’s always good to race him. The course was windy and twisty, but it felt good out there.”

Sauser finished in 16:35 (two seconds ahead of Schaul), leading Oelwein to the boys’ team title.

Ranked No. 6 in Class 2A, the Huskies had four runners in the top 14 and compiled 60 points. Anamosa was second with 80.

Sauser and Schaul ran in the lead pack the whole way. It was a group of four for the first half of the race, then down to three with a mile to go.

“Those were some really good dudes up there,” Sauser said. “When we got close to 3 miles, I caught some space.”

Girls: Tipton’s Noelle Steines dominates

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The girls’ race wasn’t nearly as compelling, due to the dominance of Tipton’s Noelle Steines.

A three-time Class 1A state champion at Calamus-Wheatland (she transferred to Tipton last November), Steines breezed to victory in 18:39.

Izzy Hardin of Maquoketa was next, 53 seconds back.

“I’ve been consistently under 19 (minutes), and that feels so good compared to last year,” Steines said.

Steines had doubled as a runner and baton-twirler, but the latter caused a couple of injuries, including a bad ankle sprain that set her back last year.

So, “I quit baton,” Steines said. “Running is my end game. I’ve always prioritized running.”

Fort Madison was a surprise girls’ team champion, edging 3A No. 3 Solon by a 61-63 margin despite a 4-6 finish by Sydney Dee and Kinley Mai for the Spartans.

Tipton was third with 81.

Sauser’s title was complemented by teammate Caleb Schunk’s fifth-place run.

“I’d really like our team to podium this year,” Sauser said, referring to the reward for a top-three team finish at state. “We have a good squad, and this is our best chance to do it.”

Girls Results

TEAMS

1. Fort Madison 61, 2. Solon 63, 3. Tipton 81, 4. Monticello 108, 5. Cascade 142, 6. Maquoketa Valley 161, 7. Maquoketa 170, 8. Anamosa 188, 9. C.R. Jefferson 213, 10. Oelwein 279, 11. North Linn 325.

INDIVIDUALS

1. Noelle Steines (Tipton), 18:39; 2. Izzy Hardin (Maquoketa), 19:32; 3. Leah Koehler (Monticello), 20:09; 4. Sydney Dee (Solon), 20:11. 5. Hallie Kelchen (Cascade), 20:28; 6. Kinley Mai (Solon), 20:32; 7. Laura Owen (Tipton), 20:37; 8. Avery Rump (FtMad), 20:38; 9. Ava Remley (Anamosa), 20:38; 10. Audra Burbridge (MaqV), 20:40.

Boys Results

TEAMS

1. Oelwein 60, 2. Anamosa 80, 3. Fort Madison 95, 4. Monticello 112, 5. Tipton 115, 6. Solon 153, 7. Maquoketa Valley 173, 8. C.R. Jefferson 210, 9. Cascade 237, 10. Clinton Prince of Peace 240, 11. Maquoketa 283.

INDIVIDUALS

1. Conall Sauser (Oelwein), 16:35; 2. Matthew Schaul (MaqV), 16:37; 3. Clay Bohlmann (Tipton), 16:55; 4. Aedan Althoff (Monticello), 17:01; 5. Caleb Schunk (Oelwein), 17:28; 6. Andres Holmes (Solon), 17:48; 7. Riley Tripp (FtMad), 17:51; 8. Levi Benesh (North Linn), 17:51; 9. Nolan Weers (Anamosa), 17:51; 10. Seth Countryman (Anamosa), 17:52.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com