The Norwalk cross country teams will look to keep their seasons alive today, competing in the Class 4A State Qualifying Meet at Marshalltown Community College. The girls race begins at 4:00 p.m., followed by the boys race at approximately 4:30.

The nine-team district field includes Ankeny Centennial, Dallas Center-Grimes, Davenport Central, Des Moines Lincoln, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Mason City, Norwalk and Ottumwa. The top three girls and boys teams, and at least the top 15 individual place-winners from each race, 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 are seeking a sixth consecutive state meet berth as a team. The fifth-ranked Warriors are the highest-seeded team in the district and will likely face their toughest competition from No. 8 Ankeny Centennial and No. 15 Dallas Center-Grimes. Norwalk junior Teegan Kralik is ranked ninth individually in Class 4A and senior Tony Anania is ranked 18th.

State-ranked teams in the girls field include No. 4 Centennial, No. 10 DC-G, No. 15 Davenport Central and No. 19 Mason City. Freshman Olive DeRocher has been the Warrior girls’ top runner all season and will look to contend for an individual state qualifier spot if the team is unable to earn a top-three finish. Junior Pearl Brown narrowly missed qualifying for state last season.