Tri-Rivers cross country showdown goes to North Linn’s Meghan Wheatley

WYOMING, Iowa — There’s no telling what might happen in the next three weeks.

But in this race, on this day, Meghan Wheatley had the look of a bona fide state-championship contender.

OK, the favorite.

In a much-anticipated showdown with two-time defending state champion Noelle Steines of Calamus-Wheatland, Wheatley ran to the front early and rolled to the individual girls’ title at the Tri-Rivers Conference cross country meet Tuesday afternoon at Little Bear Country Club.

“I had a lot of mixed emotions about this one,” said Wheatley, a senior at North Linn. “I was nervous, but I was excited to see where I stand.

“I knew this was going to be a big mental challenge, and I knew I had to be mentally tough.”

Wheatley was clocked in 18 minutes, 37 seconds. Steines was next in 19:31.

“Last year, I let other runners set the pace,” Wheatley said. “If I go out at my pace, I do better. I feel more in control of myself and my race.”

With six runners in the top 13, North Linn dominated the team race. The Lynx scored 28 points. Edgewood-Colesburg was second with 59, followed by Alburnett (79).

The boys’ title chase, on the other hand, couldn’t have been any closer. Led by individual champ Matthew Schaul, Maquoketa Valley edged Calamus-Wheatland by a single point, 68-69. Alburnett was third with 92.

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Like Wheatley, Schaul put a lot of real estate between himself and the field.

A junior, Schaul finished in 16:59. Noah Valenzuela of East Buchanan was the runner-up in 17:35.

“I was expecting a little faster,” Schaul said. “I’ve never run here. It was pretty hilly and it was a little longer than 5K.”

As Schaul circled the course, Maquoketa Valley fans encouraged him with chants of “Chewy.”

“When I was little, my older brother called me ‘Matt-chew,’” Schaul said. “It just kind of stuck.”

George Livingston was third, Kenyon Baker eighth for the Wildcats.

Wheatley and Steines were followed in the girls’ race by Lauren Krogmann of Starmont-West Central (19:54) and Taryn Burbridge of Maquoketa Valley (20:12).

North Linn’s Bryn Collum, Mackenzie Bridgewater and Lucy Haughenbury were 8-9-10.

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Photos: Tri-Rivers Conference cross country meet

Tri-Rivers Conference meet

Girls results

TEAMS

1. North Linn 28, 2. Edgewood-Colesburg 59, 3. Alburnett 79, 4. Maquoketa Valley 83, 5. East Buchanan 105.

INDIVIDUALS

1. Meghan Wheatley (NL), 18:37; 2. Noelle Steines (Calamus-Wheatland), 19:31; 3. Lauren Krogmann (Starmont-West Central), 19:54; 4. Taryn Burbridge (MaqV), 20:12; 5. Ellie Kirby (Ed-Co), 21:52; 6. Addison Merritt (Springville), 22:06; 7. Amanda Nurre (Ed-Co), 22:20; 8. Bryn Collum (NL), 22:35; 9. Mackenzie Bridgewater (NL), 22:41; 10. Lucy Haughenbury (NL), 22:42.

Boys’ results

TEAMS

1. Maquoketa Valley 68, 2. Calamus-Wheatland 69, 3. Alburnett 92, 4. Springville 106, 5. Starmont-West Central 114, 6. North Linn 155, 7. Clinton Prince of Peace 159, 8. Easton Valley 195, 9. Bellevue Marquette 208, 10. North Cedar 217, 11. Edgewood-Colesburg 287.

INDIVIDUALS

1. Matthew Schaul (MaqV), 16:59; 2. Noah Valenzuela (East Buchanan), 17:35; 3. George Livingston (MaqV), 18:02; 4. Logan Riedesel (C-W), 18:13; 5. Caleb Skinner (Spring), 18:14; 6. Mason Mohr (C-W), 18:26; 7. Logan Ossman (Alb), 18:31; 8. Kenyon Baker (MaqV), 18:33; 9. Levi Benesh (NL), 18:33; 10. Cole Venema (EastV), 18:37.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com