State XC preview: Class 3A boys

A thumbnail sketch on the Class 3A boys' race at the state cross country meet Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course, Fort Dodge.

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Individual race: The top three runners from last year return, and all were impressive in the district meets. Defending champion

Evan Selsor of Winterset emerged from a three-man race to win at Perry while Algona's

Ryan McMahon and

Chad Rutledge went 1-2 at Spencer. Last year, Selsor beat Rutledge and McMahon by 16 seconds each. Mount Vernon-Lisbon's

Connor Smock was 11th as a freshman and beat the field at the Anamosa district by more than a minute.

Team race: Defending champion

Algona looks primed after a series of injuries earlier this season. The Bulldogs won the Spencer district by 26 points.

Pella was the runner-up last year and was impressive in a 27-point performance at the Knoxville district.

Decorah lost its top two runners from last year's fourth-place team, but has been impressive all season, won its home district and should be a factor.

Projected top five: 1. Algona, 2. Pella, 3. Decorah, 4. Grinnell, 5. Boone.