PANORA — The WCAC cross country meet was held Thursday, with Panorama serving as host. The Panther girls placed fourth with 76 points, with the home-standing boys 10th in an 11-team field at 267.
Van Meter (46), AC/GC (61) and Earlham (65) claimed the top three girls spots, with Des Moines Christian (45), Madrid (49) and Earlham (79) the first trio in the boys race.
Panorama junior Ella Waddle was second overall in 20 minutes, 18 seconds, with longtime nemesis, AC/GC senior Kate Crawford, winning the WCAC title in 19:50.
Payton Beckman (22:04), Olivia Steffen (22:22), Gwen Steffen (23:05) and Abby Cobb (24:23) completed the Panorama scoring by crossing 11-14-20 and 29, respectively. Lydia Lindstrom (36th, 24:53) and Leah Fett (43rd, 25:11) also ran for the varsity, with Molly Simmons (30:34) and Jaden Johnson (32:33) in action for the junior varsity.
Eighth-grader Mia Waddle was the sole Panther girl to run in the two-mile middle school race. She was fifth overall in 14:56, with Van Meter (53) claiming the top team slot.
West Central Valley senior Louden Foster was the boys varsity champion in 16:54, with Emry Colby crossing 36th, in 19:28, to lead Panorama.
Also scoring for the hosts were Landon Goodenberger (55th, 20:51), Brayden Hoffman (56th, 21:06), Avery Norman (59th, 21:09) and Conor McCarthy (61st, 21:38). Declan McCarthy (65th, 22:18) and Alec Mills (70th, 23:28) completed the varsity septet, with Logan Christe (23:32) and Paul Hanson (24:59) running for the JV.
AC/GC (45) and Madrid (60) were 1-2 in the boys middle school competition, with Panorama eighth of 10 with 224 points.
Maddox Hammerstrum (13:57), Ryan McCarthy (15:57), Eli Hammerstrum (16:15), Zander Hammerstrum (16:59) and Laine Christe (17:22) were 13-45-50-56 and 60 for the Panthers. Also on the course were Landon Kirtley (63rd, 17:59) and Will Knapp (65th, 20:30).
Panorama will host a 2A State Qualifying Meet Thursday. The first race will begin at 4 p.m.
