The Knoxville Cross Country Squads will head to the Class 3A State Qualifying Meet today at the Pella Sports Park. The Panthers are not one of the favorites to advance to the State Meet but could get an individual as freshman Isaac Rankin has had a great season, winning the South Central Conference individual championship last week. Rankin tells KNIA/KRLS Sports his training all season has come down to today’s race and he hopes to be among the qualifiers moving on to State.

Rankin: “I’d say I’ve finished better a lot and my fastest mile has been the final one. I just want to finish strong and do good.”

Rankin has a quick time of 16:51 which was set at Centerville on October 4th. That time among freshmen in class 3A is 5th best, according to Bound. The girls race is set to begin at 4:00 with the boys to follow. The top three teams and the top 15 individuals will advance to the State Meet next week in Fort Dodge.

Photo from Ryan Northcote