On a perfect fall day in Fort Dodge, it was a freshman who stole the show at the state cross country meet. North Union’s Jacey Welbig continued what had been a solid progression throughout the season, capping her freshman campaign by placing 21st in the 1A race in a time of 20:37, beating her previous career best set at last week’s district meet by 18 seconds.
Welbig was patient at the start, beginning almost directly in the middle of the 150 runner field on the opening stretch. She picked off runners throughout the first mile, passing the one mile mark in 24th place and the two mile mark in 19th place. Welbig’s 21st place finish was 4th best among freshmen in the girls 1A competition.
Welbig’s 20:37 marked an improvement of 1:46 over her season opening time of 22:21.
In the boys 1A competition, Bishop Garrigan’s Quinn Swift and North Union’s Nick Schiltz wrapped up their careers, with Swift placing 41st in 17:42, while Schiltz was 100th in 18:46.
Swift executed his typical patient start, crossing the mile marker in 71st place, then passing 34 runners to move up to 37th at the two mile mark, ultimately finishing 41st.
Quinn Swift Interview
Nick Schiltz Interview
Jacey Welbig Interview
Coach Rowley Interview
