Thursday’s the day when area cross country runners qualify for the State meet.  Oskaloosa Coach Michael Comfort says his boys and girls are ready to run.

“I feel pretty good about us.  We’ve had two really good meets in a row. I feel like we’re peaking at the right time, we’re at our best fitness level physically.  I think we’re mentally on point, so I’m really  excited to see what we can do on Thursday.  Really, everybody’s been doing a great job.  Our girls are led by Addi Carter, Sage Adam, Abby Lumsden.  Our boys are led by Patrick DeRonde, Brayden Van Kampen and Kadin Gerard.  We’re expecting those guys and girls to lead us on Thursday and hopefully, if we run well, some good things can happen.”

The top 15 individual runners and top three teams qualify for State.  Oskaloosa will run at Central College in Pella Thursday afternoon at 4…..with Pella and Knoxville also competing there.

Meanwhile, Grinnell’s cross country teams are at the Class 3A qualifying meet at Solon.  Ottumwa and Newton are in the Class 4A qualifying meet in Marshalltown.  Williamsburg hosts a Class 2A qualifier with PCM, EBF and Pella Christian competing….while Albia and Chariton will run at the 2A qualifier at Panorama.  And in Class 1A, North Mahaska, Sigourney, Twin Cedars and Montezuma will try to qualify at Marshalltown, while Keota and Pekin’s cross country teams will run at Iowa City Regina.