by Taylor Burns

People from all around Central Iowa crowded around Gateway Golf Course in Monroe on Sept. 25
for the only home cross country meet the PCM team has all year.
Running the 4k, senior Rachel Peter led the team in the race, finishing second place, out of 142 girls, with a time of 17:12. Sophomore Rachel Stafford and freshman Baylee Smith were close behind her with times of 18:54 and 19:11 respectively. Juniors Kiara Kappelmann and Morgan Novak finished the race in times of 20:32 and 20:39, respectively. Junior Mallory Bell finished just short of Novak with a time of 20:49.
“It’s really weird to think that was the last time I’ll ever race on my home course,” Peter said. “But to be able to place second at my last home meet is anything but sad.”
Freshman Blaise Winegardner, showing much improvement, running the 5k, led the boys, finishing in fourth place out of about 177 boys with a time of 17:59. Sophomore Chris Ellens finished with a time of 20:57. Junior Trent Howard and freshman Caleb Peter finished the race with times of 22:33 and 23:13, respectively. Freshman Rory Van Gorp completed the meet with a time of 23:16, while junior Andres Vargas was just 15 seconds behind him. Freshman Brady North and sophomore Braden Phifer finished with times of 23:02 and 23:33, respectively.
Overall, the girls scored 133 team points, finishing in fourth place, and the boys finished in tenth place with 264 points.
“The girls finally beat the tenth-ranked team in the state, Davis County. I couldn’t be more pleased at where the girls are right now,” Coach Eric Karr said. “I really liked seeing my middle pack of boys working together. I think they pushed each other to finish faster.”
The next cross country meet is Monday, Oct. 6, at Norwalk High School. Come out and support your fellow Mustangs.