We end our Area top ten countdown with not necessarily a moment, but a career that ended where all athletes dream of, at the Blue Oval in Des Moines. It is likely not a stretch that Rylee Dunkin will go down as one of, if not the greatest athlete to wear Twin Cedars Blue and White. Dunkin qualified for the State Cross Country Meet all four years of her high school career, getting All-State three of those seasons finishing 20th this past fall. She would likely have been a four year State Track Meet qualifier, but a global pandemic wrecked those plans her freshman season. This spring, Dunkin was at the Blue Oval for her senior State Meet in four events. She placed 14th in the long jump with a leap of 15-9 ¼ she placed 10th in the 100 with a time of 13/21, 12th in the 800 in a time of 2:23.74, and was 12th in the 1500 in a time of 5:03.75. Dunkin reflected on her experiences at the State Meet.

Dunkin: “I bleed blue and white, and I love my school and not many people know Twin Cedars exists, and to come up here with TC on my jersey is super cool and an honor.”

Dunkin’s other athletic achievements were leading the Sabers to the 2022 class 1A State Softball Championship, numerous all-state and all-Bluegrass Conference awards in volleyball and basketball, plus several records that may stand for quite a while at Twin Cedars. Dunkin will continue her athletic career this fall as she switches from Blue and White to Central College Red and White and will play for the Dutch Softball Squad next spring.