The Norwalk boys cross country team was ranked second in Class 4A behind Dowling Catholic for five straight weeks during September and October, but dropped to fourth after placing second to Johnston at last week’s state qualifying meet.

That dip in the rankings might be just the motivation the Warriors needed as they head to Fort Dodge for the 2022 State Cross Country Championships at Kennedy Park. The 4A boys race caps the two-day event at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday.

Appearing at state for the fourth consecutive year, Norwalk is hungry for a top-three finish after placing sixth in 4A last fall. The final state rankings list Dowling at No. 1, followed by Johnston, Iowa City High and Norwalk.

While the Warriors’ most realistic goal is top three, they aren’t conceding first place to anyone just yet. Senior Donovan Card says, “We’re definitely very motivated. I think we’re going for number one. We’re going to flip that ranking on its head.”

Card, ranked seventh individually in 4A, is one of three Norwalk boys who will be competing at state for the fourth time. Senior Jack Brown – ranked 12th, and senior Will Chase – 26th – are also four-time qualifiers. Junior Noah Buhrow will be competing in his third state meet.

Brown and Chase stated that the team’s pack-running mentality is their strength, along with being a tight-knit group. If the Warriors can maintain that chemistry on Saturday, Chase feels like they will have a great chance to take home a top-three trophy and be honored on the clubhouse balcony at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course.

“That podium has been our goal the whole year,” he said, “and we know we can be there. Those are some great teams up top, but we know we’re right with them. We need to have our day, but we think we can do that.”

To take down a powerful team like Dowling, Card says the Warriors must know their targets and stick with them. Brown adds that everyone will need to run their ‘A’ race to place first.

“We all have the fitness to run a good race, but (Dowling is) a really tough team, as well as City High and Johnston and the teams behind us,” Brown said. “We acknowledge that and we respect those teams, but we think that with our guys and with an ‘A’ race we can do some pretty good things at state.”

Norwalk senior Breelie Mauro is also a four-time state qualifier and will compete in Saturday’s 4A girls race at 2:00 p.m.