(Atlantic) Atlantic Cross Country runners Katrina Williams and Mason Betts will run this afternoon in the Class 3A State Cross Country meet in Fort Dodge. Betts, a sophomore, is a first-year runner. Williams, a senior, set this goal after experiencing some disappointment the previous year. The two runners head into the state meet after running personal bests at the state qualifier. Williams toured the course in 19:52, and Betts ran a personal best 16:19.
Williams says she has grown up in the sport with many good role models.
Williams kept in shape over the summer by running with her dad, Chad, and sister, Heidi, while they trained for a half-marathon.
Betts surprised himself this season. He admits he wasn’t expecting to have this kind of success, let alone qualify for the State Cross Country Meet.
Betts gained some confidence right out of the gate in the first meet at Glenwood in late August.
Atlantic Head Coach Dan Vargason is happy to see both runners succeed this season.
Vargason says Mason Betts is an entirely different story.
The Class 3A girls race begins at 2:00 p.m., and the Class 3A boys meet at 2:40 p.m.
(Photo: L-R: Assistant Coach Ashley Mosier, Mason Betts, Katrina Williams, and Dan Vargason)
