Official Iowa HS XC 2023 Thread

I don’t think any boys. But I do think there are a couple of Iowa girls who have the potential.

Addison Dorenkamp will be #1 for girls in IA and will have a shot to make NXN.
Olivia Verde will be #2. She is also part of Johnston and will be able to qualify for NXN with her team.

Gehl, Leitzen, and Beason could all be number 2 in the state.

After Dorenkamp it is hard to predict. There are some under the radar girls that might make things interesting. Johnston is deep - and they have the potential to make NXN. But they also could be challenged for state championship. There are a couple teams with serious talent. It all depends on how these girls progress over the summer (and injuries).

Dont think Zuber or Merrick should be counted out for qualifying as individuals, Also heard Cedar Falls maybe getting a 15 minute xc transfer. If true they could be a player for state title

Cedar Falls is already looking really good without that transfer and can challenge for second place behind Dowling.
Merrick 9:12
Hartman 9:27
Martin 9:58
Ferguson 10:04
Cosidine 10:16
Wiering 10:17 / 4:41 (as a freshman)

At least tell us who. There aren't many 15 minute guys in the country. He would be the top runner in the state.

Honestly not sure name but to me there is what 30 or so that broke 16 last year, seems like a good amount for iowa!

When you said “15 minute xc transfer”,
I thought you meant “15:00 XC transfer” or somewhere around that

My bad, just meant sub 16! Still very good though in my opion

Are you saying that it is an Iowa kid but you don't know who? That sounds sketchy. And 15 minutes? Kifle is the only one. Several sub 16 guys ran fake courses and wouldn't make top 5 for Cedar Falls.

He also said he may be getting a transfer

So this isn’t a for-sure thing

Bingo, and its just talk ive heard, I dont care enough to ask details! We should know soon enough. I still put cf in top 3 this season

Prairie looks great for the next 2 years
Lee - 9:40 - 11
Allred - 9:58 - 11
Stegemoller - 10:14 - 11
Johnson - 10:25 - 10
Mulford - 10:29 - 11

The Valley returner that got 103rd at state didn’t have his best race there. But he did run a sub-17 during an XC meet and also a 10:11 3200 during track.
The issue is, because they are 5-deep this year, their top 5 need to be on when it matters such as the state meet.

On the girls side johnston has to be the huge favorite. hempstead lost 3, 5,6,7 to graduation but with 2 likely in the top 5 and 3 in the top 15 it only takes a couple JV or incoming freshman girls to step up and make them very competitive. Dubuque senior only lost their #2 and had such a tight pack from 2-7 last year that if their girls improve even just a little or have breakout seasonsthey could be competitive for that top spot. I understand senior girls get bad coaching in track and so they dont progress much in the spring and get overlooked because they dont rack up many fast times. senior usually faces Johnston at PV in their first race of the season so that should be telling. I think cedar falls may surprise, too

Just out of curiosity with Minnesota changing their state meet location... Is there any chance of changing the state meet host location? I get not going to Ames because of ISU FB scheduling, but a purpose built course like Wartburg would be quite the improvement. Also anyone aware if the State athletic associations are locked into keeping the state xc meet a two day affair? I and so many others I've talked to miss being able to see the other races now that they are so spread out over 2 days.

The hosting if the meet comes up for competition every 5 years. I agree with you that I would like to see it moved. I also agree that a one day meet is better.

Why do you think Jihnston is a heavy favorite over Dubuque Senior?