It was a cool and brisk October evening for area high school cross country runners as they took part in state qualifying meets across the state. At each district location, the top two teams in class 1A and top 10 individuals advanced to the state meet next weekend, while the top three teams and 15 individuals advanced in classes 2A thru 4A.

In class 1A, North Iowa Area Community College was the site for Lake Mills, West Hancock, and North Iowa runners. Those schools may have had a slight advantage, running there just one week prior for the Top of Iowa Conference meet. The girls race was up first, with North Iowa seniors Lauren Hillesland and Ava Meinders finishing 7th and 8th overall, advancing them both to the state meet in Fort Dodge. Meinders’ time of 20:29.1 was also a personal best f

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