Johnston, Dowling Catholic win Class 4A team championships at state cross country meet
FORT DODGE − Addison Dorenkamp was not going to let an injury or cold and windy conditions prevent her from winning her second state cross country championship in three years.
Dorenkamp, a senior at West Des Moines Valley, had suffered an inflamed quad and glute prior to the start of the season. The 2021 Class 4A individual champion did not start running again until five weeks ago.
But she managed to qualify for state to earn a shot at another state championship on Friday at the Lakeside Municipal Golf Course.
Dorenkamp turned in her best race at a state meet to claim the 4A girls individual crown. The Valley senior crossed the finish line in 17 minutes, 41.5 seconds to better the 17:55.18 she ran to win the 2021 title.
"I just stayed motivated and positive, and I tried not to feel sorry for myself because injuries happen to everyone," said Dorenkamp. "I worked hard, had faith in myself and kept going. It feels amazing."
Dorenkamp ran in the lead pack with Johnston's Olivia Verde and Ames' Claire Helmers to start the 4A race. Dorenkamp and Verde gained separation about one mile into the race.
A little over halfway through the race, Dorenkamp began to pull away. She stayed focused, attacked the hills and powered her way to the finish line to win the race by just over nine seconds.
"I kept surging and using the hills to surge up them," Dorenkamp said. "At the 2-mile mark I knew I had it in me and I kept going until the end."
Dorenkamp will continue her running career at the University of Alabama.
"I made that decision in September," Dorenkamp said. "I love their program. I got along with all the girls there and I knew I wanted to go south, so Alabama was the perfect place."
Verde finished the race in 17:50.7. She also came in second last year behind Des Moines Roosevelt's Adrienne Buettner-Cable with a time of 17:41.24.
"It was cold, but I felt really good," said Verde. "I'm happy with the outcome. Addi just had a great day and I have to give her credit. I'm proud of her."
Verde helped Johnston claim the 4A girls team championship for the second time in her four-year career. The Dragons scored 107 points to beat Valley's score of 122 for the championship.
"We have a great squad," Verde said. "The only person that's leaving is me. I'm excited for them."
Grace Beasley finished 20th, Ele Wharton 27th, Payton Crabb 32nd and Alyx Woodley 34th for the Dragons.
Ethan Zuber claims 4A boys' championship
Ankeny junior Ethan Zuber gained some redemption during the 4A boys' race at the state cross country meet.
Zuber lost the 4A qualifying meet at Ames Oct. 18 in a photo finish to Sioux City North's Natnael Kifle. Kifle ran a 5k time of 15:20.50 and Zuber a 15:20.80.
"I went home that night after losing and questioned who I was as a person," said Zuber.
Zuber used that loss as motivation for the 4A boys race at state. He did not let the poor weather conditions bother him and made sure to start and finish strong.
Zuber crossed the finish line in 15:07.7, winning the 4A boys championship by 5.7 seconds over Cedar Falls' Jaden Merrick.
"Glory to God, great teammates and the best coaches in the state," Zuber said. "It feels like 365 days' worth of work finally paid off. It's the best feeling ever."
Merrick ran a 15:13.4. Kifle came in third with a time of 15:25.6.
Dowling Catholic three-peats as 4A boys' team champion
Dowling Catholic entered this year's state cross country meet having graduated one of the greatest runners in state history off last year's team in current Duke Blue Devil Jackson Heidesch.
But even without Heidesch, the Maroons proved they had what it takes to win a team championship. The Maroons claimed their third 4A boys state championship in a row Friday, scoring 72 points to beat out Cedar Falls' score of 84 for the title.
"We battled all year," said Dowling's Jack Flori. "We were up and down and had a lot of adversity. It was just great to do it with a lot of new guys. It just feels amazing."
Flori finished fourth individually with a time of 15:33.8. Max DeRocher took 12th in 15:45, Matthew Bootman 20th in 16:00.6, Owen Wolfe 21st in 16:00.8 and Josh Mohan 24th in 16:03 for the Maroons.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Johnston, Dowling Catholic win 4A team titles in state cross country
