Norwalk’s number 9 sports moment of the 2022-23 school year takes us to the State Cross Country Meet in Fort Dodge, where senior Breelie Mauro capped an outstanding career by placing 25th out of 125 Class 4A runners.

Competing in her fourth state meet in the sport, Mauro used a strong finishing kick to earn her first top-25 state finish. A five-kilometer time of 19:36.2 was her fastest on the state meet course at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course. Mauro, who earlier in the season placed second at the Little Hawkeye Conference Meet, said she was aiming for a top-30 finish and was able to push through her comfort zone during the race.

“We talked a lot throughout the season about not running comfortably,” she said, “so when I was running I was thinking that the whole time, like, ‘I can go faster. Why am I running at this pace? Get uncomfortable.’”

Mauro gradually advanced through the pack as the race progressed and had energy left in the tank for the finish, either passing or holding off five runners that finished less than three seconds behind her.

“I was just trying to give it everything I (had) for that last stretch,” she said.

Stayed tuned tomorrow for Norwalk’s number 8 sports story of the school year.