PCM boys finish 11th in first state appearance since 2008

FORT DODGE — Coby DeRaad waited until after his post-race interview to get emotional.

Shorty after his final race at the Iowa High School State Cross Country Championships, several Mustangs consoled the team’s only senior following the first top-11 finish for the PCM boys cross country team since 2008.

“The start is something I don’t think I’ll ever forget,” DeRaad said. “We always have a little talk before and there was something different about telling everyone that it was one last ride today. It took me a second to absorb that. It was our last time. But I felt like I left it all out there.”

DeRaad was the only Mustang who wasn’t making his first appearance at the state meet. The three-time individual state qualifier knew the course and knew what to expect and tried to provide as much help to his teammates as possible.

The Class 2A No. 9 Mustangs ended up 11th in the final standings. They scored 250 points, which was 13 back of sixth-ranked Pella Christian in ninth. They also trailed No. 11 Monticello by three points.

“We made it, and they showed up well,” PCM head cross country coach Eric Osterhaus said. “Do I think we could have done better? Yes. But I think that’s how it always will be.”

PCM junior Brenden Lahart led the Mustangs at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course inside Kennedy Park.

He placed 32nd in his first state-meet experience and was clocked in 17 minutes, 18.1 seconds.

“It was really fun. There was never a time where you didn’t want to run faster because someone is always making noise,” Lahart said. “It’s not just your teammates or friends. It’s everyone. There’s a lot of people here. It helps you want to be faster and not slow down.”

The top 15 individual finishers in each state race earn a spot on the all-state deck. The top three teams also are recognized with trophies at the end of the race.

Brandon Leppert of Waukon grabbed the 15th and final medal in 16:44.6. There were 140 runners in the 2A boys’ race and only six seniors finished in the top 15.

“It feels amazing to be a part of this team and to have this experience,” PCM sophomore Owen Osterhaus said. “And having my Dad here with me makes it even more special.

“It’s was special to see all of the people here. It’s much bigger than you expect.”

Owen Osterhaus was the second PCM runner to finish on Friday. He was 54th in his first state race. His time for the 5K was 17:38.

DeRaad finished 88th in 18:07.1. He was 81st last season and 101st as a sophomore.

Sophomores Rylan Edgington (18:16.1) and Camden Lahart (18:31.6) were the final scoring runners in 101st and 109th, respectively.

Juniors Kash Fischer (19:00) and Cade Burkett (19:07) were non-scoring runners in 119th and 125th, respectively.

“It doesn’t compare to anything you hear about,” Edgington said. “We were told it was awesome, but you don’t feel it until you get here. It blew my mind to see so many people.”

Fisher complained about a side stitch at the end of the race. The team’s No. 1 runner at the state qualifying meet was a non-scoring runner for the first time this season.

The Mustangs were last at their state qualifying meet four seasons ago and they finished 11th in a 12-team field in 2022.

Before qualifying for the state meet this season, PCM placed sixth at last year’s state qualifying meet.

“It’s been a wild ride. There was no place I’d rather end than here with my team,” DeRaad said. “There’s something special about being here as a team.”

Class 2A No. 1 Chariton won the boys’ team title with 42 points. The Chargers, who return their top three runners next year, placed three in the top 12 and five in the first 21.

Class 2A No. 3 Forest City (110) was next and the rest of the top five included No. 4 Oelwein (130), No. 2 Denver (134) and No. 5 Unity Christian (167).

The rest of the 15-team field included No. 8 Waukon (179), No. 10 Red Oak (193), No. 7 Spirit Lake (195), No. 6 Pella Christian (237), No. 11 Monticello (247), No. 13 Tipton (266), No. 15 Mediapolis (291), No. 14 Van Meter (293) and No. 12 Okoboji (319).

“We only lose one and only one from our top-four pack,” Brenden Lahart said. “We’ll keep getting better and hopefully push the younger guys to push up higher, too.”

No. 1 Emerson Vokes of Grundy Center defended his title with a time of 15:42. Second-ranked Jesse Gomez of Denver was the runner-up in 16:18.5.

DeRaad is the only exiting senior on the Mustangs’ squad, and Coach Osterhaus expects a few incoming freshmen to help the roster next season.

“The future is bright. It’s a good foundation and we’re building a tradition of hard work on both sides,” Coach Osterhaus said. “The kids are expecting to win now. It’s a different culture. The seniors are showing the younger kids what it takes to get to the next level and the younger kids are buying in. They also have state meet experience now so that should help.”