The KNIA-KRLS countdown of Norwalk’s Top 10 Sports Stories from the past school year continues today with number 3 – a state runner-up finish by the Warrior boys soccer team.

Facing an extremely challenging schedule, Norwalk started 0-3 but steadily improved throughout the spring. The Warriors’ run to the Class 3A State Tournament was full of drama, starting with a 1-nil substate final win over an Urbandale team that had ended their previous two seasons. At state, the Warriors outlasted Humboldt 3-2 in the first round on freshman Teegan Kralik’s game-winning rebound goal with 6:02 remaining.

The excitement reached its pinnacle in a memorable semifinal match vs. top-seeded Des Moines Hoover that was delayed three-and-a-half hours by rain. With a scoreless tie in place and a dense fog encompassing the field, Norwalk senior Jack Brown provided the winning score with 7:53 left in regulation.

The Warriors’ seventh straight victory advanced them to the 3A state championship game, where they were defeated 5-0 by Iowa City Liberty. Coach Dustin Kralik’s team finished 13-8 overall, claiming the program’s sixth state runner-up trophy to go along with four state titles won since 2007. Norwalk was playing at state for the first time in six years and the 14th time overall.

Kralik told KNIA-KRLS Sports that he was proud of his team’s magical run to the finals. “We can be disappointed for today, but after that the moments that we went through in the season still don’t change,” he said. “The game after game where we really had to put everything into it – I think just kind of finally caught up with us today, but we put the program back where we want to be. Back not just in the state tournament, but putting ourselves in a position to go and win a title.”

Four Norwalk players received All-State recognition following the season. Brown, who scored 25 of the team’s 51 goals, was a first-team selection along with junior defender Caden Endres, who scored five goals. Senior goalie Jacob Rueber and sophomore Tavin Ferner were named to the third team. Rueber tallied 77 saves and Ferner had six goals and a team-high seven assists.

The Warriors graduated eight seniors from the 2023 roster but will bring back all but two starters next season.