The Kirk Schmaltz Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Ames was loaded with ranked Class 4A teams.

So much so that a 3A powerhouse like Mount Vernon-Lisbon struggled to make a dent.

The MVL girls, ranked No. 2 in 3A, finished eighth and the MVL boys, ranked No. 3 in 3A, finished 10th.

“The competition is exceptional,” MVL coach Kory Swart said. “But that’s why we like to go over there. To get pushed, and compete against some of the best programs in the state.”

Finishing in front of the girls’ race was No. 5 Ankeny Centennial. Some of the other schools in front of MVL included No. 9 West Des Moines Valley, No. 4 Ankeny, No. 13 Waukee Northwest, No. 7 Ames and No. 6 Waukee.

“We performed really well,” Swart said. “The other teams were just that good.”

Swart’s only regret was not getting in their home meet the week before (canceled due to heat). A huge meet in Ames is quite a wake-up call to start the season.

“I think we just got thrown to the wolves a little bit there,” he said. “We would’ve been better with a race under our belt.”

Kiersten Swart led the girls, finishing ninth in 19 minutes, 5.3 seconds. She was followed by Evelyn Moeller (29), Rose Pisarik (36), Sam Schoff (51) and Claire Jensen (52). Cora
Smith (53) and Emrie Johnson (54) followed right behind, but were not part of the team score.

“The biggest thing is we need to tighten up our pack,” Swart said. “We were spread out a little bit. Our girls have to close the gap a little bit.”

That was true on the boys’ side as well. Junior Grady Olberding finished fourth in 15 minutes,
10.1 seconds. Junior Dawson Scheil was 17th in 15:54.3.

They were followed by Seamus O’Connor (50), Chasen Caskey (57) and Anthony Armstrong (67).

“Grady was mixing it up with some of the best runners in the state,” Swart said. “That was a really good race for Grady.”

Scheil has taken a big step forward from last fall.

“He had an exceptional summer, and is hungry to make his mark,” Swart said. “To run a sub-16 … I hope he is consistently in that range because if he does, he has a chance to be all-state in 3A.”

The Mustangs boys finished behind seven ranked 4A teams.

It will be another crowded and challenging field Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Cedar Rapids Invitational at Seminole Valley Park.

“Cedar Rapids is another great test for us,” Swart said. “It may be a little warmer, so we’ll have to adjust a little.”