GREENFIELD — Nodaway Valley’s boys cross country team is going to a new site for the state qualifying meet.
While the layout in Ankeny is something the Class 1A top-ranked Wolverines are plenty familiar with what they must do.
The first step for the Wolverines’ quest for a second consecutive state championship starts Thursday at the state qualifying meet. Class 1A action with the girls race starts at 3 p.m., with the boys to follow around 3:30 p.m.
“You can’t win state unless you get there,” said Nodaway Valley coach Darrell Burmeister.
The Wolverines are looking forward to possibly punching another ticket to state.
“The state qualifying meets are the most important,” Burmeister said. “There’s a lot of excitement in a state qualiftying meet.”
The state qualifying meet is a familiar experience for many of this year’s varsity runners
“This is an experienced bunch of guys,” Burmeister said. “They have a lot of experience. That should help us going in.”
Burmeister likes the progress the team has made. The Wolverines enter the state qualifying meet fresh off their eighth Pride of Iowa Conference championship in the past nine seasons.
The team is coming off its best 1,000-meter workouts of the season earlier this week.
“We’re feeling good and we’re healthy,” Burmeister said, adding that the injury to standout Shane Breheny’s foot is not bothering him.
Breheny leads the way, but it’s a team effort. Brycen Wallace has been a steady second runner behind Breheny, while Brayten Funke has made big strides this season.
“Brayten Funke’s really coming on for us in the last week,” Burmeister said. “We’ve seen big movement from Brayten.:
Those three, Burmeister believes, can be in the top five individually.
Burmeister also has high hopes for Tyler Breheny, Matthew Dickinson and Skyler Rawlings.
“Those three could also be individual state qualifiers,” Burmeister said.
Burmeister admitted he has a decision to make about the seventh spot between Dallas Kreager and Joel Blazek for the seventh and final varsity spot.
“We have a solid alternate ready to go if we have to have somebody step in,” Burmeister said.
Nodaway Valley’s depth is a huge asset, especially in Class 1A.
“It’s nice to have depth,” Burmeister said. “It’s a nice problem to have. Then we as coaches have to make choices. It’s good to have somebody step in if we need them, especially in Class 1A.”
Nodaway Valley’s top runners will be challenged by top-ranked Jacob Hansen of West Fork, Sheffield.
“We’ll see how we do against him, how close we can get to him, if our guys can beat him,” Burmeister said. “If we’re close to the number one runner in the state, we should be looking pretty good at state.”
The Warhawks are the only other rated team at the region, coming in at 14th. Newman Catholic of Mason City is on the teams to watch list.
“West Fork’s been on the deck before at state. They’ve had some success at the state meet,” Burmeister said.
Weinheimer sets sights on state
On the girls side, the Wolverines’ Reagan Weinheimer comes in as the second-ranked girl in Class 1A.
A key for the Wolverine freshman has been her starts.
“She needs to get out early,” Burmeister said.
Even though this will be her first time competing at the state qualifying meet, Burmeister is plenty confident Weinheimer will be ready to go.
“She’s done so many things in different sports, basketball, track. She competes in dance and gymnastics. She’s been on the stage quite a bit. This is just another state,” Burmeister said. “She’s not a person that’s going to get shook up. She’ll be ready to go.”
Burmeister is hopeful Mallory Kuhns can sneak in one of the top 15 spots.
“She’s been getting out to good starts,” Burmeister said. “If she can get out to a good start, she’s a strong-willed person. She has to put herself in position to be in the top 15.”