FORT DODGE

The time was finally at hand for the best high school runners in Iowa to compete on the grand stage that is the Cross Country State Championships at Fort Dodge, a two-day event taking place from Friday to Saturday.

Joining in on the party to compete with the best of the best were two Ravens, Marie Yoder and Siena Stanerson, and both put together strong performances.

Competing on day two in the 1A girls race, Yoder (No. 11 in 1A) made her second appearance at state and once again she proved she has no problems racing on the state level. It was a five-spot improvement from a year ago for the sophomore, as she finished 8th in 19:16.

“It feels amazing just knowing I accomplished what I wanted to do,” Yoder said about her state finish. I was really excited, but also kind of nervous, because it’s a bigger, very important race, and I was just excited to get to run today.”

“Marie really came through today. It was great to see her improve from last years’ time and place,” Hillcrest cross country coach Marty Gingerich said. “Just very satisfying to see her be able to do that.”

For Stanerson (No. 25 in 1A) this race marked her state debut. The junior had a goal going into the race and she surpassed it, crossing the finish in 20:13 to place 32nd.

“I was just really wanting to finish overall and get under 40th for placing, so I was really happy to achieve that,” Stanerson said about her personal goal in her state debut. “I was really excited, but also really nervous, because I’ve never been here as a competitor, so I was excited to make my mark on the course, but also really nervous how it was gonna go.”

The top fifteen runners medaled and were recognized with all-state honors and with Yoder placing within the top ten, she more than qualified for this achievement. This is the second time Yoder has earned all-state honors and she did it by racing the fastest race of her young career.

“I was just trying to have a good start and then not get boxed in, but I also wanted to try to get up to the front a little bit, but not too far up, because I didn’t want to go out too fast,” Yoder said about her race strategy. “I think I stuck to it pretty good. I had a fast first mile, but I just tried to keep the second, third mile quick, and so, I had a good time.”

Yoder was the only Raven representative at state a year ago, but this time she was accompanied by Stanerson and having a teammate along the way made all the difference. 

“It’s so much more fun having a teammate with me. We get to cheer each other on before and then after, it’s great,” Yoder said about having Stanerson racing with her at state.

“I really love watching Marie, even though I’m behind her, it’s still so fun to see how she does and she’s a great runner, and an even better person, so I’m happy to be her teammate,” Stanerson said about Yoder.

Leading up to state, Stanerson’s times have been steadily improving, reaching a new PR in five straight meets. While she didn’t reach a PR at state, the third-year runner in her first year at Hillcrest ran a solid race.

“I definitely wanted to run my own race and not get caught up in the really fast start with all the other competitors and then catch them more during the race, so I just ran my own race,” Stanerson said about her race strategy.

“It was quite an accomplishment this season for Sienna to get here and it wasn’t just by the skin of her teeth, either. She got here solidly. It’s been a great season for her,” coach Gingerich said about Stanerson.