HCHS girls aim high in Renkly’s final state meet

Sixth-ranked Cyclones to compete in 3A State Cross Country Championships

 FORT DODGE (Oct. 29) -- The emotions will be strong Friday afternoon when the Harlan Community girls toe the start line for the 2021 State Cross Country Championships.
 In 25 years as the head coach at HCHS, Doug Renkly has guided 18 teams to Lakeside Municipal Golf Course for this event, including 15 girls squads in the last 18 years.
 The 2005 Cyclone girls, led by Regina Reinig’s individual title, claimed the 3A team championship. The ‘06 team was state runner-up.
 Regardless of how high the sixth-ranked Cyclones finish Friday at 2:30 p.m., this occasion will always be special for Renkly, who is retiring with a quarter century of great memories from this venue and many others across western Iowa.
 “It’s bittersweet,” said Renkly. “I’m doing my best to stay focused and keep my foot on the gas pedal along with the team. I try not to think about it too much right now. There will be lots of reflection after Friday I’m sure.”
 The HCHS girls are making their fourth straight appearance in the 15-team 3A field, having placed seventh last year, fourth in 2019 and eighth in 2018.
 This season’s squad is somewhat unique in that only two Cyclone girls have state meet experience. Senior Kaia Bieker, who finished 31st a year ago, is a four-time qualifier while senior Ellie Gross competed at state last year as well. The rest of the girls, including number-one runner Lindsey Sonderman (ranked 2nd in 3A), are state meet rookies.
 HCHS has been led by the one-two punch of Sonderman - this year’s Hawkeye Ten Conference champion as a freshman - and Kaia Bieker, who are ranked second and eighth, respectively, in Class 3A. The second wave is usually paced by Gross and sophomore Taylor Bieker, along with first-year sophomore Jenna Gessert, freshman Kayla Anderson and sophomore Emily Schechinger.
 If Sonderman and Kaia Bieker can run close to their elite rankings on Friday, the Cyclones will be off to a great start in securing a high team finish. HCHS will then need three more runners to step up and close the time gaps between themselves and the front runners.

Full story in Oct. 29 Harlan News-Advertiser

 
 

 

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