(Fort Dodge, IA) — Mason Betts of Atlantic missed a medal by 1.2 seconds and finished in 16th place while Harlan’s Jeffrey Gross got on the deck in 13th place in the Class 3A Boys Cross Country State Meet on Saturday morning.
Betts finished with a time of 16:20.2 while 15th place Derek Hrdlicka of Decorah was 15th at 16:19.0. Betts was in 17th at the one mile split — faded a little in the middle part and slipped to 23rd at the two mile but ran a strong last mile to put himself in position to win a medal just coming up short. It was an improvement for the junior who finished 39th a year ago.
Gross was in the top ten for the start of the race and faded a little in the middle, losing five spots but held on to get on the deck with a time of 16:15.9.
Creston finished 15th out 15 teams. For the Panthers: Sophomore Ryder Baird 23rd (16:26.7); Senior Wyatt Goodenberger 60th (17:08.1); Junior Merrick Wieland (17:55.9); Sophomore Matthew Warner 116th (18:09.8); Freshman Sam Stalker 117th (18:12.4); Senior Jameson Hanson 126th (18:33.2); and Junior Austin Jondle 130th (19:01.9).
Logan Bleich and Jacob Tallman — both seniors — finished #1 and #2 leading Gilbert to the team title. Bleich had a time of 15:12.2 while Tallman was hot on his heels in 2nd with a time of 15:21.9. Henry Hansen of Mason City was 3rd; Andrew Allen of Xavier 4th and Zach Stevermer of Gilbert rounded out the top five. The Tigers finished with 98 points in the team standings; Sioux Center was 2nd with 114 and Xavier 3rd at 120.
Deagan Stanley, Freshman from Glenwood did not finish the race.
Complete Boys Results: Click HERE
Interview with Mason Betts
Interview with Atlantic Head Coach Dan Vargason
Interview with Jeffrey Gross
