Doland’s win leads Cardinal boys to third at Oskaloosa

OSKALOOSA — The Newton boys’ cross country team continues to climb up the ladder as we head for the back stretch of the season.

Javin Doland won his first 5K race of the season, Landon Menninga and Christian Buchli also earned medals in the top 15 and the Cardinals finished third in an 11-team field at the Oskaloosa Invitational on Tuesday.

Newton closed the gap on Class 2A No. 10 Williamsburg, which finished second with 62 points. Class 2A No. 4 Chariton won the meet with 44 points, Newton ended up third with 70 and 2A No. 11 Pella Christian was fourth with 106 at Edmundson Park.

“Not everyone was up to race pace tonight, but had our roster been 100 percent I’m confident we could have beat one if not both of those teams,” Newton boys head cross country coach Steve Weeks said.

On the girls’ side, Newton finished seventh and Hadley Kruse was a medalist in 11th. There also were three ranked girls’ squads.

“I’m very proud of the effort the team put forth this evening,” Newton girls head cross country coach Rachelle Tipton said. “It’s definitely one of the tougher courses, but the team always rises to the occasion.”

The rest of the boys’ field included Oskaloosa (174), Ottumwa (180), Knoxville (182), Albia (188), Davis County (189), Fairfield (201) and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (320).

Doland’s winning time in the boys’ 5K race was clocked in a career-best 17 minutes, 17.6 seconds. Class 2A No. 14 David Crabb of Chariton was the runner-up in 17:32.8.

Menninga finished third in a season-best time of 17:33.7. Buchli’s 12th-place finish earned him a medal and he finished in a personal-best 18:11.9.

The other two scoring runners were Asher Wood and Lance Zaabel. Wood was 27th in 18:38.7 and Zaabel came in 29th in 18:42.8.

Presley Arnold (18:58.8) and Jesus Murillo (19:13.6) were the non-scoring runners in 32nd and 37th, respectively.

“It was just one of those days where some raced absolutely out of their minds and others had to fight through the fatigue of recovering from Saturday and other activities,” Weeks said. “We have several runners who participate on club soccer teams as dual-sport athletes, and sometimes it just adds up.

“We’re trending where we want to be, but there’s still more improvement needed. Huge shoutout to the JV. There’s so much improvement going on with that team it’s difficult to single out any particular runners.”

On the girls’ side, 2A No. 3 Albia won the meet with 38 points, while 2A No. 16 Williamsburg was the runner-up with 83.

The rest of the top five featured Ottumwa (110), 2A No. 15 Pella Christian (125) and Davis County (127).

Oskaloosa (161), Newton (177), Fairfield (190), EBF (191), Danville-New London (221) and Knoxville (250) completed the 11-team field.

Kruse, the top Cardinal finisher, placed 11th in a season-best time of 22:29.

“Hadley got out well and maintained well,” Tipton said. “She enjoys this course, which helped give her an extra boost as she starts her comeback.”

Bella Winther was 29th in 23:46.8 and Sarah Malow finished 42nd in a personal-best time of 25:03.

Cameron Sharp (25:21.6) and Meghan Trout (personal-best 25:24.5) were the final scoring runners in 48th and 49th, respectively.

Alivia Kingery (26:54.6) and Lilian Wadsworth (29:48.4) were non-scoring runners in 61st and 70th, respectively.

“The team was coming off two meets last week and there have been various illnesses and injuries,” Tipton said. “To come out and have half the team with best times and the other half with still very good times is exciting and bodes well for the end of the season.”