MATT LEVINS - The Hawk Eye
The high school girls cross country season had plenty of thrills and chills this season.
From runners battling through injuries and illnesses to teams pulling together and coming up with surprising finishes, there was never a dull moment from start to finish.
A young Fort Madison team had plenty of memorable moments, and a few equally as scary. Avery Rump, The Hawk Eye’s Runner of the year, led the way for the Bloodhounds.
Danville put together its best season in four years, qualifying for state for the first time since 2020.
Keokuk continues to build something special, while a host a freshmen runner gave promise to a bright future.
That depth, talent and youth is reflected in the 2024 All-Hawk Eye girls cross country team.
Fruehling, sr., Notre Dame-West Burlington
Freuehling returned with a vengeance this season, making a return trip to state for the first time since her freshman season. Fruehling was never far behind teammate Kaitlyn Kipp all season, finishing fifHannah th at the SEI Super Conference meet, then taking 13th at a Class 2A state qualifying meet at Monticello. She finished 61st in the state meet in her final run as a Nike.
Iris Garza, so., Columbus
Garza battled at injury which kept her out for much of the season, but returned when it mattered most. She finished seventh in the conference meet and fifth at a Class 1A state qualifying meet at North Linn. Garza was 72nd at the state meet
Alaina Gourley, jr., Danville
Gourley helped the Bears return to the state meet for the first time in four years. She was third at the conference meet and third at a state qualifying meet in Iowa City. She finished 51st in Class 1A at the state meet, helping the Bears finish 16th.
Hannah Karre, sr., Keokuk
Karre capped a brilliant career for the Chiefs by finishing 11th in the Southeast Conference meet and 16th in a Class 3A state qualifying meet at Pella to punch her ticket to state for the first time. Karre finished 67th at state to close her high school career.
Kaitlyn Kipp, so., Notre Dame-West Burlington
Kipp, who finished 46th in Class 2A as a freshman, followed that with a solid sophomore season. She finished fifth in the conference meet and was 11th at a state qualifying meet. Kipp capped her season by finishing 47th at the state meet.
Quintrie Lee, fr., Mount Pleasant
Lee is one of several top-notch freshman runners in the area and she steadily improved as the season progressed. Lee finished sixth in a Southeast Conference field loaded with talent. She then finished 17th at a state qualifying meet to punch her ticket to state. There, Lee finished 63rd in Class 3A.
Fiona McGill, fr., Louisa-Muscatine
McGill, the SEI Super Conference junior high champion as an eighth grader, didn’t skip a beat at the varsity level. After fighting through an illness in the second half of the season, McGill finished 17th in the conference meet, then bounced back to place fifth at a state qualifying meet. McGill finished 62nd in Class 1A, setting a new PR.
Rylee Phillips, jr., Van Buren County
Phillips, the latest in a long line of solid runners for the Warriors, traded places with teammate Kayley Snowgren at nearly every race. Phillips finished ninth at conference and seventh at a state qualifying meet before finishing 87th in Class 1A.
Avery Rump, jr., Fort Madison
Rump battled through an injury before the season, then fought through a mysterious ailment. But when the chips were down, Rump delivered. She finished second in the Southeast Conference meet, was 11th a Class 3A state qualifying meet and finished 45th in her third trip to the state meet. She earned Runner of the Year honors.
Kayley Snowgren, so. Van Buren County
Snowgren joined Phillips to form a formidable combo for the Warriors. She finished 10th at conference, then took sixth at a Class 1A state qualifying meet at Iowa City. Snowgren finished the season with a 75th-place showing at state.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Brian Mendez, Fort Madison
Mendez not only did a bang-up job with the Fort Madison boys team, he also did sensational work with a relatively young girls team. The Bloodhounds won the Southeast Conference title, but came up one point shy of qualifying for the state meet. Fort Madison returns its top six runners next season.