Ten Norwalk runners will compete at today’s State Cross Country Championships at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course near Fort Dodge.

The Warriors’ freshmen trio of Olive DeRocher, Gabby Drymon and Grace Wetzeler have qualified for state as individuals and will run in the Class 4A girls race at 2:00 p.m. The Norwalk boys will compete as a team at 2:45 with Teegan Kralik, Tony Anania, Sam Parker, Grant Wallace, Aksel Beedon, Henry Groos and Corbin Oswald.

Norwalk girls cross country coach Michelle Wiedmann is excited to watch her freshmen crew take on the 4A field and experience the state meet atmosphere together. Wiedmann tells KNIA/KRLS Sports that DeRocher, Drymon and Wetzeler, along with several other young runners on the team, showed tremendous growth throughout the season.

“I’ve just been so proud of them this season to see where they started and where they’re at now,” Wiedmann said. “The confidence, the way they race, their strategies – all of that. They’re a great group, they’re extremely coachable and it’s been a lot of fun.”

The Norwalk boys are back at state for the sixth consecutive year after winning last week’s State Qualifying Meet at Marshalltown. The Warriors enter the state meet ranked sixth in 4A, but have their sights set on a top-three trophy finish. Norwalk coach Chad Larson believes his team is more than capable of achieving their goal.

“I definitely think it’s doable,” Larson said. “We do have to have solid races by everybody. I don’t think we have to have Superman races by everybody. I certainly think it’s something that’s in our reach and something that we should be striving for, for sure.”

The Norwalk boys are led by junior Teegan Kralik and senior Tony Anania, who placed second and sixth, respectively, at the state qualifier. Kralik enters State ranked 13th individually by the Iowa Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches.