The Norwalk boys and girls cross country teams will travel to Marshalltown for next week’s Class 4A State Qualifying Meet. District assignments were announced Wednesday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

Norwalk will be one of nine schools competing at Marshalltown Community College on Wednesday, October 23, at 4:00 p.m. The field also includes Ankeny Centennial, Dallas Center-Grimes, Davenport Central, Des Moines Lincoln, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Mason City and Ottumwa. The top three teams and at least the top 15 individual place-winners advance to the State Cross Country Meet in Fort Dodge on Friday, November 1. The top five individuals from non-state qualifying teams are guaranteed a spot at state.

The Norwalk boys moved up to fifth in the latest Class 4A state rankings following an impressive first-place showing in Monday’s Little Hawkeye Conference Meet. The Warriors posted a team score of 32, led by sixth-ranked Teegan Kralik in second place and 21st-ranked Tony Anania in third. Sam Parker and Grant Wallace also finished in the top eight. The Warriors are seeking a sixth consecutive trip to state as a team. They placed 13th in 4A last season.

The Norwalk girls placed fourth in the conference meet, led by freshman Olive DeRocher in 10th place. The Warrior pack of Maya Butler, Grace Wetzeler, Gabby Drymon and Pearl Brown all placed between 26th and 29th.