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Creston’s girls and boys cross country teams had an opportunity to celebrate their seasons Sunday in the annual banquet held in the high school commons.
They shared a meal together and recognized the accomplishments of the team this season.
The Panther girls and boys finished the season with 30 runners.
“I want to say to each and every one of you, I appreciate you finishing the season with us,” said Creston coach Pat Schlapia.
Both teams saw plenty of progress over the season for relatively young teams. Of the 30 runners, 17 were out for the sport for the first time.
“We had some young pups and we had some out for the first time,” Schlapia said.
They showed tremendous improvement throughout the season.
“We ended up with a growing season,” Schlapia said. “You guys showed some tremendous growth. Twenty-eight out of 30 of you were setting PR’s if not all 30. That was awesome to see. That’s what we wanted to see from you.”
There were six seniors combined on this season’s roster who combined for 20 years of high school cross country experience. Four of them — Isaac Wignall, Cora Green, Ben Irr and Rachel Shepherd — ran all the way from middle school through high school. Lexie Little joined the program as a sophomore. Dawson Smith joined the team for the first time as a senior.
Schlapia credited the seniors for helping guide a green team.
“It was important for you seniors to show them the Creston cross country way,” Schlapia said. “Whether it was varsity or JV, you guys showed us how to do that. Now that the seniors go on, you’re always going to be a member of the cross country team.”
Schlapia challenged the returnees to step up and fill the leadership roles.
“Just because you’re a senior doesn’t mean you’re going to be a leader,” Schlapia said. “You have to earn that spot.”
Schlapia challenged the team to grow during the offseason, particularly next summer.
“I want to see some leadership, some growth out of you by August 1 of next season,” Schlapia said. “Get that summer base in. There’s 24 hours in a day, seven days in a week. I hear some say well I ran every Wednesday morning. There’s six other days. I know there’s a lot of other things. Kids are being pulled each way. Make that growth as a team and as an individual.”
A highlight for the girls was winning the Orient-Macksburg meet for the third straight season.
The girls had a number of interchangeable runners on varsity.
“This was the deepest girls team we’ve had in many years,” Schlapia said. “We changed along the way. The top six, seven — if you were right in there, it wasn’t the same squad. Injuries took a toll on us.”
The boys team went through some growing pains this season. Of the 12 boys out, seven were freshmen.
“Youth was served,” Schlapia said.
The program’s biggest highlight of the season came on Oct. 29 at the state cross country meet in Fort Dodge. Brielle Baker became the 33rd individual runner in the overall program’s history, both boys and girls combined, 15th girl and 22nd individual in the past 17 seasons to run at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course.
Ending the season at state is something Schlapia savors.
“We never take that for granted ending the season at the golf course at state,” Schlapia said. “Those who take it for granted don’t go or are going to be one flash wonders.”
Schlapia would like to take more runners to Fort Dodge.
“Let’s make some history. Let’s bring some more girls and some more boys to Fort Dodge,” Schlapia said.
Several awards were handed out. The Brandon Gale Memorial Manager Award went to Brooklyn Bolinger. The Chris Wyatt Award, to a senior boy and girl, went to Ben Irr and Rachel Shepherd. The Panther XC Spirit Award was given to Breanna Baker. Schlapia handed out three awards for summer running, to Cora Green, Levi Hitz and Brittany Linch.
Schlapia thanked a variety of different people for their help this season.
One thank you went to Crestmoor Golf Course and Southwestern Community College for their help with both practice and the home meet.
“I’m biased, but I can’t think of a better place for a course than what we have at SWCC and Crestmoor. We’ve had a good working relationship with them.”
Schlapia thanked the Booster Club for all their help supporting the team during the season and and during the home meet.
Schlapia gave a big thanks to his longtime assistant coach Gary O’Daniels.
“I can’t think of a better guy to work with,” Schlapia said. “He’s been good with the kids. He has a lot of experience with us. It’s good for us.”
Schlapia thanked trainer Chris Leonard for all of his help working with the injured runners during the course of the season.
“Coach O’Daniels and myself usually have a daily visit with Chris,” Schlapia said. “I appreciate all of the time he gives for us.”
Schlapia praised Maggie Arnold for the work she does coaching the middle school program.
This season was memorable for the veteran coach.
“To me, this is special,” Schlapia said. “I can’t think of a better thing or place than to share that with you.
“From my heart to you, thank you for everything.”
Team awards:
Brandon Gale Memorial Manager Award: Brooklyn Bolinger
Chris Wyatt Award: Ben Irr, Rachel Shepherd
Panther XC Spirit Award: Breanna Baker
Summer Running: Cora Green, Levi Hitz, Brittany Linch.
Letterwinners
Boys — Freshmen — Devin Baker (1), Hunter Fry (1), Levi Hitz (1), Jared Moreland (1). Junior — Dylan Linch (3). Seniors — Ben Irr (4(, Dawson Smith (1), Isaac Wignall (4).
Girls — Freshmen — Brittany Linch (1), Allivea Skarda (1), Brooklyn Bolinger (1), Sophomores — Brielle Baker (1), Saige Rice (1), Rachel Wignall (1). Juniors — Danielle Castillo (2), Sophia Groumoutis (3). Seniors — Cora Green (3), Lexie Little (3), Rachel Shepherd (4).
Participation awards —
Boys — Isaac Jacobson, freshman, Isaac Ralston, freshman, Ashton Wills, freshman.
Girls — Heylee Shields, freshman, Sydney Pantini, freshman, Sydney Hartsock, freshman, Jesse Vicker, sophomore, Emma Berning, sophomore, Salma Kipwasa, junior, Jordan Moreland, junior, Kiersten Latham, junior.
Hawkeye 10 All-Academic team: Cora Green, Lexie Little, Rachel Shepherd, Ben Irr, Dawson Smith, Isaac Wignall.
IATC Sr. All-Star Meet — Ben Irr, Rachel Shepherd.
IAHSAA Distinguished Academic Achievement team award (team grade point average between 3.25 and 4.0) — boys.
IGSHAU Distinguished Academic Achievement Award (team grade point average between 3.25 and 4.0) — girls.