A chance to significantly improve on his freshman State Cross Country Meet is in front of Issac Rankin. The Knoxville Sophomore qualified for the class 3A meet this Saturday through the Pella State Qualifier last week and is hopeful to place higher than he did last year. Rankin finished 98th last year in a time of just over 18:00. Rankin adds he wants to run faster than his 16:44 time at the Pella Sports Park.

Rankin: “Just go out there and give it my all and see where it gets me. I can run a little better than I did today, I got a little side stitch so maybe like 16:30. It’s good mentally just to know you’re in shape and fresh for that meet.”

Rankin’s best time was 16:18 at the South Central Conference Meet. He hopes to finish in the top 30 this year. The class 3A boys race will start at 2:45 at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge.