NM Runners Compete at State
FORT DODGE – North Mahaska senior Brayden Veiseth and sophomore Emmerson Jedlicka represented their school well at the Class 1A state cross country meet in Fort Dodge Friday. Veiseth closed out his high school long distance career with a 45th place finish. Jedlicka, making her debut at the state meet, finished 88th.
Jedlicka and the other 158 runners took to the course in chilly and windy conditions, something most of the competitors had not faced this season. Noelle Steines of Calamus-Wheatland took the top spot in 8 minutes 22 seconds. Jedlicka, who was named Steve Shettler Media Player of the Week this week, covered the 5K course in 21:31.2.
In the boys’ race, the entire field chased last season’s title holder Landon Bengden of Woodbine. The senior took three seconds off his 2022 finish posting a 15:55.3. Veiseth cut more than half a minute off his state time with a personal best of 17:28.2.
Veiseth’s South Iowa Cedar League rival, Gage Heyne of English Valleys, earned a personal best time of 16:25.6 and notched a top 10 spot in ninth.
Both Jedlicka and Veiseth were all-South Iowa Cedar League performers this season and likely will be two runners to watch this spring when track season rolls around. This also marks the second consecutive season that coach Seth Streebin has had state cross country qualifiers.
