Official Iowa HS XC 2024 thread

4a boys: Zuber-Merrick-Decker

4a girls: Beason-Wedemeyer-Messerly (depending on health two runners that could blow this list apart)

3a boys: Dunham-Nauman-One of the Gilbert runners

3a girls: Ferebee

Please rename thread to what it is soon to turn into!!!

Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling!

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Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling!

Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling!

Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling!

Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling!

Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling!

Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling!

Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling! Dowling!

Will they make NXN this year?

Merrick fizzled out. Anania will be 2nd. Ames girls will go 1-2. Wedemeyer turned into a mid distance runner. Have to pick Nauman.

Yes. This is the year. Steven's Point had a terrible track season.

Steines will be the top girl in the state. Why did she transfer? Why did Wedemeyer transfer? They should have gone to the same school.

And I think they can beat all Minnesota teams. There are 3 that seem pretty even (Wayzata, Edina, and Minnetonka).

Wayzata is graduating a ton. Many sub-10 underclassmen on JV last year but we will need to see how that translates to XC.

Edina has a pair of brothers on varsity XC that do golf, not track.

Minnetonka is losing 2 scorers and had some top returners injured during track

Dowling had only 1 guy at stste 3200 but will qualify for NXN.

A sophomore runs 8:55 at Drake and then has a disappointing state meet and you think he’s “done?” Yikes, ugly take. I think he’s more of a 5k XC guy than Anania, who’s a miler, and I predict another Merrick vs. Zuber battle in 4A. Similar logic for Dunham and Nauman: I see Nauman as the most talented mid-D kid in the state but for now I think Dunham is still stronger at 5k XC, and I expect 1. Dunham 2. Nauman 3. Bleich with not insignificant distance between all 3.

They took 3rd at NXR and return 5 guys off of that squad

No he isn't done. He fizzled out because it is a long season and he is a sophomore. Saying that he didnt fizzle out is not factual. He peaked at Drake. Anania became an elite runner who will vie for the state title. Merrick will be back but I put him 3 or 4 in XC.

That's why I said they will qualify.

I look at it like Merrick was able to lead from the front at Drake and win because of the weather, He lead 2800 meters at state in wind and heat and it just did not produce same outcome. He needs to learn to let others lead some. he will be fine for xc. To be hurt second half of Xc last year and then lead a good portion at state after sitting out couple of races and finish second I would say He will be a strong contender. In 4a my picks are Merrick 1st, Zuber 2nd I’m ready for the heat this will cause but Dowling may have hard time getting someone in top 5 this year.

But they will put 5 in the top 20.

Where will Jack Flori place at state & NXR?

That’s possible but also may be a stretch.

Flori and Merrick will battle for 3rd.

Not even close, just seriously asking way you think Flori will battle with Merrick when 5k is longer then 3200 and Flori was not a contender in the 3200 this year. Also supposedly when you said Merrick was fizzled Flori wasn’t with him. I get it you love all things Dowling but sometimes you gotta let it go man. Where was Flori last year battling with Merrick and Zuber? I also say get ready for 2 sub 15’s at state. Think we will see sub 15’s a few times this season. Also if I remember correctly Merrick was highest placing Iowa kid at nxr with a 10th as a sophomore.

Flori is one of the top returners. Imagine somebody predicting Anani to win the 1600 at Drake at the end of XC season. Things don't remain constant.