With a mix of varsity veterans and promising freshmen on the roster, the Norwalk girls cross country team has set their goals high for the 2024 season.

Coach Michelle Wiedmann brings back several experienced runners from last year’s squad, which placed fifth at the Little Hawkeye Conference Meet and sixth at the Class 4A State Qualifying Meet. Wiedmann’s 30-girl roster also includes a large number of young runners, adding depth and competition for the top seven varsity spots. 

Wiedmann tells KNIA Sports that the girls have worked hard over the summer and during August practices, and they are excited to start competing in meets.

“The depth is much better,” she said. “It’s a lot more competitive, I’ve already seen that through our practices and the time trial that no spot is necessarily going to be secure. The girls are all competing – in a very healthy way – for those top spots, especially top seven.”

Wiedmann has also noticed strong leadership from the Warriors’ upperclassmen. Junior Pearl Brown is the team’s top returning runner and seniors Maya Butler, Andie Davitt and Audrey Warren are all looking to finish their career on a high note. Brown narrowly missed qualifying for the state meet last year, placing 26th in the 4A State Qualifier. Some of this year’s top freshmen include Olive DeRocher, Grace Wetzeler, Gabbie Drymon and Khole Scandrett.

Wiedmann adds that the Norwalk girls have set some lofty goals for this fall. At the top of the list is advancing to State as a team. Wiedmann says that the girls are holding each other up a lot more in practice while challenging and pushing themselves each day.

The Warriors open the season at the Ankeny Centennial Invite Tuesday on DMACC’s Ankeny campus.