Among the boys’ districts, junior Joe Morgan of Clinton recorded the fastest 5K time with 15:52, with senior Jon Lamb of Iowa City High next at 16:05. Morgan and Lamb, along with two juniors, Austin Williamson of Des Moines Roosevelt and Ryan McCurnin of Mason City, are favored for the top individual spot at state. In the team competition, US #10 Des Moines Roosevelt had the lowest district score with a 21, and is expected to win big at the state meet. Look for Iowa City High, Marshalltown or West Des Moines Valley to fill the runner-up spot.

In the girls’ races, it was no surprise that junior Jennie Funk of Iowa City High had the fastest 4K time of 14:25, but many were impressed with senior Kate Greer of Marshalltown, who came in with a 14:38. Seven other runners clocked sub-15:00 times at the meets. The six district meets also confirmed that two up-and-coming freshmen were for real: Jessica Weigert of West Des Moines Valley won at the Ames district and Hannah Roeder of Des Moines Roosevelt won at the Indianola district. While Funk is expected to take the individual title at state, a group of two dozen girl runners have a legitimate shot at finishing in the top 10.

Among the girl’s teams, US#7 Iowa City West (24), Iowa City High (23) and West Des Moines Valley (24) marked up the lowest team scores. It will come down to the wire between the two Iowa City schools for the team title, with Valley, Ankeny, Dubuque Wahlert, Bettendorf and Cedar Rapids Xavier in the running to round out the top 5.