Wamac Conference cross country: It’s all Mount Vernon-Lisbon

CEDAR RAPIDS — As sweeps go, you don’t get much cleaner than this.

Team champion, girls and boys.

Individual champion, girls and boys.

Yes, Mount Vernon-Lisbon runs this league. At least it did Thursday afternoon.

Led by individual leaders Evelyn Moeller and Dawson Scheil, the Mustangs swept the team championships at the Wamac Conference cross country meet at Seminole Valley Park.

“It’s just the community and family we have here,” Scheil said. “The support we have ... we just bond together.”

Moeller built a 55-second margin and controlled the girls’ race in a career-best 18 minutes, 9 seconds. That started a Mustang parade — a stampede? — of 1-7-9-12-13.

That adds up to a nifty 42-point total.

“I finished, and it only seemed like 10 seconds, then the rest of them came in,” Moeller said. “All of a sudden, all five of us were in.”

Led by individual runner-up Falyn Svalstad, Solon placed second with 82 points. Williamsburg (85) and Center Point-Urbana (92) rounded out the top four.

Moeller took the Mustangs’ last meet off — no injury, just a chance to refresh.

It worked.

“I knew my fitness level was still there,” Moeller said. “But still, I was doubting myself a little bit.”

No need. She controlled the race from gun to finish.

“(Coach) Kory (Swart) just told me to keep the first mile under control,” Moeller said. “Eighteen-oh-nine ... I’m really happy. I was expecting more like 18:30. When you’re running by yourself, it’s not easy.”

CPU’s Aaliyah Causey, Williamsburg’s Channing Becker and Marion’s Addison Dabroski rounded out the top five. Kiersten Swart and Rose Pisarik were seventh and ninth for MVL.

  Buy Photo

The last time Scheil started at Seminole, he didn’t finish because of leg cramps. This was redemption.

Scheil won the boys’ race in 15:49, 10 seconds ahead of runner-up Carson Meskimen of Clear Creek Amana.

“It’s been a roller coaster with injuries, cramping during races,” said Scheil, who led by two seconds at the 2-mile mark, then pulled away. “It’s mostly my right leg from my hamstring to my Achilles. My mom has been really good about hydration and electrolytes. Physical therapy has helped me stay loose.

“All credit to them, to my coaches and to God.”

Mount Vernon-Lisbon and Grinnell combined for nine of the top 12 slots, but the Mustangs’ 21-point advantage at No. 5 was key in what turned out to be a comfortable margin.

MVL scored 34 points, followed by Grinnell (64), Clear Creek Amana (89) and Vinton-Shellsburg (127).

Alex Torres of Vinton-Shellsburg was third. MVL’s Benjamin Brinkmann (a freshman) and Sawyer Feldman were fourth and sixth.

Wamac Conference cross country championships

At Seminole Valley Park

Girls Results

TEAMS

1. Mount Vernon-Lisbon 42, 2. Solon 82, 3. Williamsburg 85, 4. Center Point-Urbana 92, 5. Marion 127, 6. West Delaware 150, 7. Clear Creek Amana 159, 8. Benton Community 196, 9. Vinton-Shellsburg 207.

INDIVIDUALS

1. Evelyn Moeller (MVL), 18:09; 2. Falyn Svalstad (Solon), 19:04; 3. Aaliyah Causey (CPU), 19:15; 4. Channing Becker (Williamsburg), 19:15; 5. Addison Dabroski (Marion), 19:38; 6. Ali Seidl (CCA), 19:39; 7. Kiersten Swart (MVL), 19:49; 8. Norah Peyton (West Delaware), 19:55; 9. Rose Pisarik (MVL), 19:56; 10. Emerson Dabroski (Marion), 20:11.

Boys Results

TEAMS

1. Mount Vernon-Lisbon 34, 2. Grinnell 64, 3. Clear Creek Amana 89, 4. Vinton-Shellsburg 127, 5. Solon 141, 6. Williamsburg 160, 7. Benton Community 180, 8. West Delaware 227, 9. Marion 236, 10. Center Point-Urbana 241, 11. South Tama 306, 12. Independence 349.

INDIVIDUALS

1. Dawson Scheil (MVL), 15:49; 2. Carson Meskimen (CCA), 15:59; 3. Alex Torres (Vinton-S), 16:03; 4. Benjamin Brinkmann (MVL), 16:06; 5. Cadel Conner (Grinnell), 16:09; 6. Sawyer Feldman (MVL), 16:12; 7. Liam Crites (Grinnell), 16:26; 8. Barrett Jesina (South Tama), 16:27; 9. Aiden Wolfe (Grinnell), 16:29; 10. Isaac Sandquist (Grinnell), 16:38.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com