The KNIA-KRLS countdown of Norwalk’s Top 10 Sports Stories from the 2022-23 school year reaches number 5 today as we recognize the accomplishments of the boys cross country team.

The Warriors put together another outstanding season last fall, capped by a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A State Cross Country Championships at Fort Dodge. It was the program’s fourth straight trip to the state meet, where they also placed sixth in 2021.

Seniors Donovan Card, Jack Brown and Will Chase competed on all four of those state squads, and Card capped his career by earning a 15th-place individual medal. Junior Noah Buhrow, who has run at state three times, finished 26th. Also competing in Fort Dodge were senior Ben Hanson, sophomore Tony Anania and freshman Teegan Kralik.

Card worked hard for his top-15 spot, rallying from 23rd place at the 2-mile mark to achieve a career goal of earning state medals in all three of his sports – cross country, wrestling and track. Card says the thing he enjoyed most about cross country was simply running and competing with his teammates and friends.

“I’ve been with most of these guys for four or five years and it’s just been great running with them and having them push me,” he said. “I don’t really think I would have been as successful as I’ve been if it weren’t for those guys and some of our prior seniors.”

The 2022 Warriors were ranked as high as 2nd in Class 4A for much of the season. Coach Chad Larson’s team won four meet titles overall, including a third consecutive Little Hawkeye Conference championship. The program bids farewell to 14 total seniors from last year, but the future of Norwalk boys cross country remains bright.