The Fairfield cross country teams continued their impressive season trajectory at Monday’s Mount Pleasant meet, demonstrating improvement across the board while competing in the 3A/4A division.
The most telling statistic of the day wasn’t found in the final team standings, but in the times posted by Fairfield runners. The Trojans averaged a 56-second improvement compared to their times from last year’s meet, a significant jump that speaks to the dedication and training of the entire program.
Eight Fairfield runners posted either personal bests or season bests on the challenging Mount Pleasant course, highlighting the depth of improvement throughout both squads.
Girls Finish Fourth in Competitive Field
The Fairfield girls placed fourth in the 3A/4A division with 87 points, finishing in a tight race behind Fort Madison (23, ranked #7 in 3A), Mount Pleasant (80), and Oskaloosa (81), while edging out Keokuk (99) for the fourth spot.
Alex Jo Steward led the Trojans with a 10th-place finish. Steward’s performance continues her strong campaign and provides leadership for the team. Close behind was Caroline Van Pelt, who earned 12th place, followed by Naomi Stiemsma in 16th. The trio’s solid performances at the top helped secure the team’s fourth-place finish.
Rounding out the Fairfield girls’ scoring were Anna McAvan in 26th and Kensley Fligg in 28th. Bailey Belzer came in 30th, as they all contributed to the team’s overall improvement.
Boys Place Fifth Despite Deep Roster
The Fairfield boys finished fifth in their division with 97 points, trailing Fort Madison (26), Oskaloosa (62), Keokuk (79), and host Mount Pleasant (93). The Trojans showcased impressive depth with 12 runners competing in the varsity race.
John Miller led the Trojans with a 12th-place finish, followed closely by Brice Boatright in 15th place. Clae Cass continued his consistent season with a 24th-place showing, while Jordan Miller finished 27th. The scoring was completed by Elijah Hamilton in 28th.
The Trojans’ depth was evident with Arron Wellnitz (29th), Drew Myers (31st), Sam Nelson (34th), Aiden Holthus (36th), Sawyer McCready (41st), Kohda Higdon (57th), and Quimby Scotton (59th) all gaining valuable varsity experience.
Building Momentum
The meet format featured teams split between 1A/2A and 3A/4A divisions, allowing Fairfield to compete against similarly classified schools. While the Trojans competed in the 3A/4A bracket, the competitive field provided an excellent gauge of their progress as the season moves toward the postseason.
The 56-second average improvement over last year’s times represents more than just faster running – it demonstrates the program’s commitment to development and the athletes’ dedication to training. With eight personal or season bests recorded, the Trojans are clearly peaking at the right time.
The Trojans will look to continue their upward trajectory as they prepare for their next competition next Tuesday on September 30th at Washington, carrying the confidence that comes from seeing tangible improvement in their times and performances.
