The Norwalk boys cross country team returns six out of seven varsity runners from last year’s Class 4A state qualifier. The Warriors finished 13th in their fifth consecutive trip to the state meet, and expectations are even higher for the 2024 season.

Norwalk’s state meet veterans include seniors Tony Anania, Grant Wallace, Corbin Oswald and Henry Groos, as well as juniors Teegan Kralik and Sam Parker. All six are expected to start the season on the varsity squad, according to coach Chad Larson. Others pushing for those top seven spots are senior AJ Mosqueda, junior Lane Osterloh and sophomores Aksel Beedon and Sam Buhrow.

The Warriors are ranked fifth in Class 4A by the Iowa Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches, and Coach Larson has been impressed by the team’s dedicated training over the summer and their preseason practices.

Norwalk’s expected pace setter will be Anania, who placed 28th at last year’s state meet and starts this season ranked 15th in 4A by the IATC. Anania had an incredible track season this past spring, highlighted by Drake Relays and 4A state meet championships in the 1,600-meter run. Larson acknowledges that the sports of track and cross country are certainly different, but says that Anania is a different runner than he was a year ago. That process, Larson tells KNIA Sports, rapidly gained momentum during the winter months between seasons.

“He made a transition. He dedicated himself fully to the track season and it showed,” Larson said. “He had one of the most outstanding high school track seasons that I’ve witnessed, and it was fun to be a part of. I have high hopes and expectations for Tony this year. I know he has high expectations for himself. I think he’s coming into the season with the right mindset and right work ethic. He’s put in the work and he’s ready to take the next step for cross country like he did in track.”

Larson says that the Warriors’ team goals for the season include contending for a Little Hawkeye Conference title and getting back to state and making the podium with a top-three finish. Norwalk’s season opener at DMACC was canceled on Tuesday due to the heat. They are scheduled to run today at Marshalltown.