ANAMOSA — For most people, and even most high school , college and professional athletes, running is tough. Difficult. Something they would just as soon skip in preparation for their season.

For the Anamosa cross country team however, running comes quite naturally, and with the season the Raiders turned in this past fall, running is not only something they excel at, they seem to make enjoyable and even fun for fans to watch.

“We had a good year,” said Anamosa cross country coach Phil Kauder as his girls’ team posted a solid 86-51 record this past fall while the Raider boys logged a 37-101 mark taking on some of the toughest 3A competition in the state. “We pumped up the schedule this year and ran in some meets against some bigger schools in preparation for us running in the WaMaC race and 3A district race. I think this team stepped up and met that challenge of running against some of the top teams and top individuals in Iowa.”

Leading the charge for the Raider girls’ team this past season was the dynamic duo of Kayla Sanborn and Cammy Dole while Kellie Vaughn, Katie Grassi, Chelsea May, Breanne Kula and Rebecca Moyer also added their talents to the success of the 2007 club.

“We really had three girls who were right there among the leaders at just about every race we had this year in Cammy, Kayla and Kellie,” said Kauder. “Katie, Chelsea, Rebecca and Breanne were also very key to our success as well. It’s not just what three runners do as to where you place in the team standings, but the 4-5-6 runners are all very important as well. That’s one of the great things about cross country, everyone who races has a say in where we place as a team and every runner is extremely important.”

Sanborn’s top time of the campaign came in one of the most pressure-filled meets running at the WaMaC Conference meet in Manchester as she tallied a team-best time of 15:44 which was fourth-best in the league earning her first-team all-WaMaC honors.
“Kayla really came on this season and showed she can be one of the best runners in the conference,” said Kauder. “Kayla and Cammy went back and forth this year and I think each made the other a better runner. Having that kind of competition on the team can only make for a better environment overall and can only make the team better, and that, in the end, is what we want.”

Dole also ran her top time at conference posting a 16:11 effort which placed her 10th in the race and with that, a second-team all-WaMaC nod.

“Cammy has such a great work ethic and I think that rubs off on her teammates,” said Kauder. “She prepares very hard for every race and always gives it everything she has.”

Vaughn’s top time also came at conference as her 16:26 effort claimed honorable mention status.

“Kellie came in with a lot of experience through our middle school program and made an immediate impact at the varsity level this year,” said Kauder. “She has a very bright future.”

Grassi’s top time came at the 3A district race (17:48) while May ran her best at conference (18:01). Kula ran an 18:27 clocking at districts for her top time while Moyer’s 18:31 effort at districts was her best of the season.

Ashton Darrow (20:10) and Kiana Secrist (21:12) ran their bests at conference while Jamie Carpenter also participated for the Raiders.
The Anamosa boys also had one consistent leader as Ryan Dolan topped the team all fall long.

“Ryan has worked himself to the brink of becoming a very competitive runner,” said Kauder. “He was the boys’ leader all season long and if we can get a few other guys to run with him, we can be a force next year.”

Dolan (18:53), Garett Long (19:07) Jacob Schwaegler (19:14), Peter Obando (19:48) and Jordan Wilson (20:18) all ran their top times at the 3A district meet.

“These guys stepped up to the challenge and closed the season on a high note,” said Kauder. “I really like what I see out of the guys and I think they can have a very bright future too. If each of them can knock a minute off their times next season, which can very well happen, look out!”

WYOMING — Even with two of the meets the Midland cross country team was most looking forward to cancelled, looking back at the 2007 campaign brings a smile to the face of Eagle cross country coach Trevor Hagerman.

“This was a good season for the Midland cross country runners,” said Hagerman. “Although there were some great season/career best times, two of the fastest meets of the year were either cancelled due to weather or did not count due to measurement error. That was a shame and a disappointment for many, but the kids should be very proud of their times for the season.”

Jason Vacek, one of two seniors on the Eagle roster this fall with brother Cory Vacek, led the team from start-to-finish running his season and career-best time in his final race as an Eagle runner at the class 1A district race in Iowa City.

“Jason just got better and better as the season went along,” said Hagerman. “He ran himself hard all year and was one of the top runners in the conference and by the end of the year, was one of the top runners in the area too.”

Cory Vacek also turned in a solid senior season running the second-best clocking on the Midland team this season after his 19:39 effort at Bellevue-Marquette earlier this fall.

“We’re going to miss those two next year,” said Hagerman of the Vacek boys. “They’ve meant a lot to this program over the years and a lot to this team this year.”

Jake Reilly (19:47) along with Kyle Eganhouse (21:26) ran their top times of the season at North Linn.while Mark Petersen’s 20:31 effort at Calamus-Wheatland was his best of the fall. Connor Hollingshead closed his season with his best time (21:03) at the district meet.

“The boys kept up very well this season,” said Hagerman. “The freshmen were a great addition and worked their way into the team very well.”

Leading the charge for the Eagle girls was first-year runner Caitlin Bisinger, who posted her season-best at the Big East Conference race after a 17:45 clocking. Lindsay Eichhorn also took to the course this fall for Midland and ran a season-best 20:40 effort at districts.

“As far as the girls go, Lindsay finished strong at the end,” said Hagerman. “Running her best time at districts is a good way to go out. Caitlin was a nice addition to the team this year. She ran hard and showed great improvement throughout the season. We look forward to seeing her back next year and being very competitive with the other teams.”

To be more competitive as a team next fall, Hagerman knows he needs added runners.

“We are always looking to add numbers to our program,” he said. “If an athlete wants to be a part of a winning team, Midland’s cross country team definitely has that opportunity. It’s a fun, fast and exciting sport, to run and coach.”