March 28, 2024

Newton’s Kruse runs second-fastest time ever at state XC meet

Cardinal sophomore finishes 52nd in Class 3A girls’ 5K state race

FORT DODGE — Hadley Kruse wasn’t happy with her time or her placing at the Iowa High School State Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning.

The Cardinal sophomore always thinks she can do better. But in the grand scheme of things, Kruse was faster and placed higher than former teammate Alyssa Shannon did at last year’s state meet.

And Shannon is currently shining on a collegiate roster.

“I didn’t get the time or place I wanted. So that’s why I’m disappointed,” Kruse said. “I kept my pace somewhat the same the entire time so that was good.”

Kruse made a correction to exactly why she was upset. Her time of 20 minutes, 38.02 seconds was her second-best time ever so the time wasn’t necessarily what she was disappointed with.

She just had her sights set on a top-30 finish and her time placed her in 52nd overall in the Class 3A girls’ 5K race at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course.

“She didn’t give up. I could tell in the middle of the race by the look on her face that she was getting tired,” Newton girls cross country coach Rachelle Tipton said. “But she held up and even caught a few more girls before the end. There was still the Hadley we know in there. She was still fighting.”

Class 3A No. 1 Paityn Noe claimed a second straight individual title. This time, she set a new state record and became the first female to run under 17 minutes as she won the race in 16:48.58. It was her fourth consecutive top-three finish.

Sixth-ranked Kayla Young of Solon was the runner-up in 18:24.13 and third-ranked Lourdes Mason of Mount Vernon-Lisbon finished third in 18:27.32.

Ninth-ranked Avery Rump of Fort Madison came in eighth in 19:23.08. Rump is the niece of Newton Activities Director Ryan Rump.

Tipton admires Kruse’s desire to always want more. But she also feels it’s important to celebrate each season for what it is.

“She needs to be proud of today and of the season, but it’s also Ok to keep a little of that fire and anger for next year,” Tipton said. “Come track season and come the summer, we’ll work on that happy medium of confidence and wanting more.”

Kruse said the number of fans in attendance around Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge made her nervous, but she also had a blast.

“I don’t really know how to explain it,” Kruse said.

Class 3A No. 1 Pella won the state championship with 91 points. The battle for second was tight. Second-ranked Ballard (127) was the runner-up, while fifth-ranked Solon (128) and fourth-ranked Mount Vernon-Lisbon (129) finished fourth.