Mount Vernon-Lisbon like running at the Solon Invitational every fall. And it is more fun when the Mustangs sweep the titles, like they did Monday, Sept. 22.
“It is close to home and we can hear that from the crowd,” senior Sawyer Feldman said.
The boys won the team title with 24 points, easily outpacing second-place Tipton (130). Dawson Scheil won the individual race in 16 minutes, 22.6 seconds.
The low point total was impressive. Senior Sawyer Feldman was runner-up in 16:43.2. He was followed by freshman Benjamin Brinkmann (fourth), junior Chasen Caskey (eighth) and junior Anthony Armstrong (ninth).
“That was an incredible race from the boys tonight. Hats off to them,” MVL Coach Kory Swart said. “They really showed up and showed what they are capable of.”
Swart was impressed how Dawson and Sawyer led as seniors, but also how the rest of the varsity scorers stayed within 80 seconds of Dawson’s winning time.
“Our seniors lead the way and everybody is riding their coattails,” Swart said. “They are pushing everyone else to be great.”
Feldman tries to keep Dawson within eyesight, and hopes the other runners are following him.
“I try to remember how far I need to stay behind him and make sure he’s not taking off. Let him do what he does and then do my job,” Feldman said.
The MVL girls won, but the margin was tighter. The Mustangs scored 41 points, and were followed by Wamac rivals Solon (63) and Williamsburg (89).
Junior Evelyn Moeller won the girls’ individual title in 18 minutes, 46.1 seconds.
She was followed by senior Kiersten Swart (fourth), junior Rose Pisarik (ninth), junior Miranda Sellner (11th) and freshman Torie Johnson (20th).
The Mustang girls are working hard to try and keep a tight pack. But Moeller finished about a minute ahead of Swart, and Swart was about a minute ahead of Pisarik.
“Evelyn is a spread wrecker,” Coach Swart said. “She is out there so far ahead. We need to get 3-4-5 to come down a little bit and tighten that up. It is a work in progress.”
Of course, the Mustangs are always thinking about the last race of the year in Fort Dodge and the top team in Class 3A. Catching Pella seems improbable, but MVL plans to try.
“We’re practicing really hard to close that gap,” Pisarik said. “If we can, it’ll make all the difference.”