ATLANTIC — For the second year in her two-year high school career the girls cross country season will end for Perry sophomore Jaylene Karolus at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge. The meet will be contested Nov. 2.
The Jayette standout earned a return trip to the big stage by placing ninth overall in Thursday’s Class 3A State Qualifying meet, in which the top 15 placers advanced.
Karolus crossed in 20 minutes, 21.02 seconds to cement her place among the state’s elite.
“She ran a great race today,” Perry head coach Ryan Marzen said. “We expected to make it back to state, now it will be up to her to improve from where she finished last year.”
Karolus was 70th overall, in a field of 137, in 21:05.9 at the 2018 state meet.
“I have every confidence she can be a top 20 finisher, maybe higher,” Marzen said. “The talent and drive are there, she just has to go up there and run her kind of race and get out quick.”
Only four Jayettes ran Thursday, keeping Perry from scoring a team result. Harlan, ranked fourth, won with 56 points, with 12th-rated Glenwood second at 79 and ADM third at 98 to earn team spots. Top-ranked sophomore Amber Erzen of Carlisle was the girls winner in 19:09.43.
Junior Kennedy Tunink was 55th in 25:05.21, with seniors Molly Lutmer (25:50.69) and Hannah Peterson (27:12.13) placing 60th and 64th, respectively.
“Kennedy was almost under 25 (minutes) and I was happy to see that,” Marzen said. “Molly and Hannah ran well, too. We are going to miss them next season, no doubt. They elevated what it means to be a varsity runner at Perry and I wish they had another year.”
Second-rated Carlisle (44) and No. 5 North Polk (59) were 1-2 in the boys competition, with Atlantic edging rival Harlan with a tiebreaker for the third advancing spot after both ended at 107, the Trojans having a 42 for sixth place and the Cyclones a 56. Perry was 13th of 13 at 353.
ADM junior Nate Mueller, ranked first in 3A, was the overall winner in a swift 15:57.36.
Marzen said he was pleased with the determination shown by the Bluejays, noting all ran with purpose and drive.
Anthony Chavez (18:58.58) was the first Jay to finish, with Hayden McFarland (20:22.47) and Tanner Burgin (21:38.29) joined by Chase Archer (21:46.49) and Erick Funez (22:46.89) in scoring for Perry. The placings were 38-67-80-81-87. Jayson Chavez (88th, 22:49.72) and Bryan Funez (90th, 23:50.17) also ran for Perry.
Archer, McFarland and the Funez twins are all seniors, with Jayson Chavez a junior, Burgin a sophomore and Anthony Chavez a freshman.
