Algona junior Gavin Weber capped off his first career state cross country appearance with a 40th place finish in the boys class 3A race, clocking in with a time of 16:59.1 at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge Friday morning.
Weber came into the meet no stranger to the state stage in track and field, having qualified for state in the 1600 as a freshman, and the 3200, 1600, 800, and 1600 meter medley as a sophomore, but would be making his first state cross country appearance after placing 6th at the Gilbert district in a career best time of 16:04.
Weber’s finishing time at the state meet came via splits of 5:05 through the first mile and 10:39 at the second mile. Weber found himself in 28th place at the mile marker, and 36th through two.
The final time of 16:59 marks Weber’s fourth time breaking 17 minutes this season, and fourth fastest 5k time in his career. Three of Weber’s four fastest times have now come over his past three meets.
The boys class 3A race would be won by Quentin Nauman of Western Dubuque in 14:59.6, kicking away from Pella’s Canaan Dunham (15:16.9) over the final half mile.
Gilbert finished first place in the team standings, with a class 3A record-low score of 33, easily outpacing second place Des Moines Christian’s 78, and 3rd place Pella’s 92.
The state cross country meet continues Saturday morning at Kennedy Park, beginning with the girls class 1A race at 10:30.
State Cross Country Interviews:
Algona Head Coach Pete Waltz
Gavin Weber
