(Fort Dodge) Claire Pellett and Bennett Whetstone punched their tickets to the State Cross Country Meet with top finishes at the Class 3A State Qualifying meet at Winterset on Wednesday.
Pellett, who earned all-state honors a year ago with a 15th-place finish in the Class 3A Elite Field, is returning to Fort Dodge for the third time. The senior finished fourth overall on Wednesday at 19:56.00.
Bennett Whetstone dug deep mid-race and passed a handful of runners to earn a spot in the top 15. The senior finished 14th overall in a time of 17:21.70.
The top three teams and top 15 individuals qualify, along with a minimum of five runners from a non-qualifying team.
Katrina Williams was the second runner for the Trojans. in 21st place, Belle Berg, 27th, Makenna Schroeder, 39th, Megan Birge, 40th, and Elynour Brummer, 41st. The girls finished fifth overall with 121 points.
Other finishers for the Trojans, besides Whetstone, Alex Sonntag, 24th; Luke Irlmeier, 41st; Tyrell Williams, 45th; Rickie Fields, 46th; Christian Thompson, 47th, and Devon Fields, 73rd. The Atlantic boys finished sixth with 170 points.
Katrina Williams-L and Claire Pellett-R Post Meet Interview posted below.
Bennett Whetstones’ interview is posted below.
Atlantic Head Coach Dan Vargason had these comments following the race.
