Blake Keller is at the front of a pack of runners during Saturday’s State Cross Country Meet on Saturday, October 31. Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

By Allison Graham

Sports Editor

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For STC seniors Blake Keller and Belle Tyynismaa, a trip to the Iowa High School State Cross Country meet was a culmination of their hard work and dedication to running over their high school careers. Keller and Tyynismaa ran in Class 3A on Saturday, October 31 in Fort Dodge.

It was a cool, overcast and windy day for Iowa’s top distance runners with temps in the 40’s.

South Tama’s Belle Tyynismaa sticks close to a runner from Ballard in the first mile of the Girls State Cross Country Meet on Saturday, October 31. Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

Keller has had his sights set on running at the Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge since his sophomore year.

Keller was hoping to break the top 30. He struggled a bit with the cooler, windy conditions that mother nature threw at the runners on Saturday at the State Meet.

“I wasn’t really used to this weather, but I’m not too disappointed. I think I ran the best I could,” Keller said. “I usually like cooler conditions, I just wasn’t prepared for this. I wish we could have gotten a couple colder meets in this year. It’s just a little tougher to breathe if I’m not used to it and I think that really got my lungs more than anything.”

Despite the cold and a tough field of competitors, Keller managed to meet his goal coming in at 27th with a 17:04 time.

Mount Vernon’s Logan Murray was the overall winner with a time of 16:17. Mount Vernon also took top honors winning the boys state team title with 50 points.

As for the girls South Tama’s Belle Tyynismaa was just excited to be at the meet and for the opportunity to race one more time. Tyynismaa finished 98th with a 21:20 finish. Look for the senior sprinter this spring as she hopes to make plans for a third appearance at the state track and field meet in May.

Julia Schumacher of Davenport Assumption took first place as did the Davenport Assumption team.

“I think we ran well considering that it was our first trip down there for Belle and Blake. I am proud of their season overall and look forward to watching them this spring, With another state meet under their belts they should have great seasons,” coach George Kuhter said.