Two OHS XC Qualify For State
Carter Huyser, Mike Comfort, and Lauren Coon share some words before taking off to Fort Dodge and the state cross country meet.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Oskaloosa High School is sending two individuals to the state cross country meet in Fort Dodge on Saturday.
Carter Huyser is taking part in his third race while Lauren Coon will be participating in her fourth race. Both are seniors making their final appearance.
Oskaloosa Head Coach Mike Comfort talked about his runners and getting to this point in their careers.
Comfort says it’s what the two have done the past four years, but with little improvements every day over the past four years, that have gotten them to this point.
“In the winter, it’s running when you could be sitting on the couch watching TV. It’s getting in those weekend runs. It’s the summer of getting up and running when you could be sleeping in. It’s four years of that that’s gotten them to this point,” said Comfort.
“I’m super proud of them,” added Comfort. “They’re here because they’ve earned it.”
The runners arrived in Fort Dodge on Friday evening and will spend the night in a motel. After breakfast, the runners will get out to the course about three hours before the race, spending time walking the course they will soon be running, all the time eyeing a state title.
“They spend that three hours getting physically and mentally ready,” said Comfort.
Coon is on her fourth trip to state, while Huyser is on his third trip. Comfort describes the two as “good people, and they’re just fun to be around. That’s why I love this trip. It’s a three or three and a half hour drive, and they’re just fun to be with. They are great students. To be able to coach them the past four years has been a pleasure.”
“Kids like that, you really root to be successful,” added Comfort.
Coon said, “It’s pretty exciting. It means a lot to me. I’m only the second girl in school history to make it all four years, so that’s pretty good.”
“I’m ready to compete,” said Coon of her quest for a state title.
On the sacrifice that’s made to compete at this level, Coon said it takes a lot of training and hours spent. “It’s all worth it at the end.”
Coon says she trains year-round to be able to compete at the level needed to participate at the state cross country meet. “Track season ends in May and instantly I start training for cross country over the summer.”
Coon puts in over 300 miles of running during the summer months. “That helped boost me into this season,” where she ran six out of 7 days a week.
Coon hopes to make All-State at the meet on Saturday, “I’m going to hopefully run in the top 25 and get all-state if I can.”
“I really want to make this a good effort,” said Coon of her last trip to the state cross country meet.
“This is sort of like the magnum opus here. I’ve got to give it everything. I’ve got to perform the best I ever have,” said Huyser of his final trip to the state cross country meet.
“I think I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been,” said Huyser, saying he believes he will be in the top 15 at the end of the race.
On sacrificing all year to participate in this one race, Huyser said, “It’s a big accomplishment. It’s something that you can be proud of, and you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”
***Editors note***
Huyser finished the meet in 31st place with a time of 17:13.2 while Coon finished in 55th place with a time of 20:43.6.
