Iola-Scandinavia’s cross-country team turned in standout performances Friday, Sept. 26, at the Nightfall Classic at RiverEdge Golf Course, highlighted by senior Ben Beck’s dominant run to win the boys’ 5,000-meter race.

Beck crossed the finish line in 16 minutes, 4.25 seconds, securing first place and setting the pace for a competitive field. His victory anchored the Thunderbirds’ showing on the boys’ side, with juniors Jack Beck and Henry Vater also cracking the top 50. Jack Beck placed 39th in 18:06.31, while Vater followed close behind in 40th at 18:06.33.

On the girls’ side, junior Revyn Schrank delivered Iola-Scandinavia’s strongest performance, earning a top-10 finish. Schrank completed the 5,000-meter race in 20:22.30 to take 10th place. Senior Cedarlyn Otremba also contributed with a 46th-place finish in 22:36.77.

The overall girls’ race was won by senior Addy Duellman of Cochrane-Fountain City, who clocked 18:18.36 for the victory.

Middle School results

Iola-Scandinavia’s cross-country teams faced tough competition Sept. 25 at the John Muir Middle School Invitational, where the boys’ squad placed last with 182 points and the girls’ side had two runners crack the top 50.

In the boys’ 3,200-meter race at Sunnyvale Park, host John Muir earned the team title with 58 points. Dominic Schoenick of Assumption won the individual race in 11 minutes, 23.62 seconds.

Iola-Scandinavia was paced by Parker Poehlman, who finished 23rd in 13:10.51. Teammate Daniel Burns followed close behind in 31st with a time of 13:23.66, while John Mork crossed in 34th at 13:30.09. Rounding out the Thunderbirds’ top-50 finishers was Andy Holder, who placed 41st in 13:44.61.

On the girls’ side, Marshfield’s Emilia Tippen claimed the individual victory with a winning time of 12:13.87. Iola-Scandinavia’s top finisher was Nola Mae Vater, who placed 41st in 14:40.11. Lola Jones also cracked the top 50, finishing 45th in 14:57.08.