Meet Preview: 2024 Gilbert Cross Country Invitational

September 12, 2024

Location: ISU Cross Country course Mortensen Road by the Towers Residential Housing and across from the old dairy farm.[Google Maps Link]

Race Start Time:

• 5:00 PM – Varsity Boys Race
• 5:25 PM – Varsity Girls Race
• 5:50 PM – JV Boys Race
• 6:20 PM – JV Girls Race
• 6:50 PM – Awards

Course Map

Iowa State University’s storied cross-country course has hosted many fast runners across various levels of competition. The 5-kilometer course, known for its speed when weather conditions are favorable, consists of two loops and is designed to be spectator-friendly. Its flat terrain makes it easy for fans to navigate and find good vantage points. Be sure to line the long final stretch near the finish to cheer on these incredible athletes as they push toward the end.

Varsity Boys
Devon Browne, Kaiden Browne, Canaan Dunham, Jonah Ebersole, Mason Gaulke, Aren Hellbusch, Noah Schuknecht

Varsity Girls
Elsie Brenneman, Ruth Dunham, Marissa Ferebee, Lizzie Neumann, Mara Schiebout, Raegan Snieder, Lizzy Vande Voort

JV Boys
Remaining healthy boys

JV Girls
Remaining healthy girls

Race Line Up (as of 9/10/2024)

AC-GC (1A #6 boys, #14 girls), ADM (3A #8 boys, #7 girls), Boone, Carlisle (3A #12 boys), Clear Creek Amana (3A #7 boys, #18 girls), Clear Lake (3A #8 girls), Earlham (1A #2 boys, #2 Girls), Forest City (2A #1 boys, #4 girls), Gilbert (3A #1 boys, #4 girls), Madrid (1A #1 girls), Nevada, North Polk (3A #17 girls), Pella (3A #2 boys, #1 girls), Pella Christian (2A #14 boys, #14 girls), Solon (3A #20 boys, #10 girls), South Hamilton, Van Meter (2A #1 girls), West Marshall, Winterset (3A #14 girls)

Course Records
Ethan Zuber Ankeny 14:56.5 2024
Marley Turk Ames 17:54.4 2024

Fast Girls on a Fast Course

For the second week in a row, Dutch junior Marissa Ferebee has run under 18 minutes. On this fast course, she has a strong chance to do it again. The course record of 17:56.4 that was set by Marley Turk of Ames just last week, could be in jeopardy.

Marissa’s toughest competition may come from her sophomore teammate, Elsie Brenneman, who has been close to breaking the 18-minute barrier in her last two races. This course presents a great opportunity for her to achieve that milestone. North Polk sophomore Alexis Hergenreter, along with Van Meter’s Laura Streck and Madrid’s talented Madelyn Grothus, could also contend for the top spot.

Boys Team Race

Dutch junior Canaan Dunham enters this race as a favorite. He picked up his first win last week when he ran an all-time best 5k at the Central College course when he ran 15:16. The challengers to Dunham will likely come from the talented sophomores from Gilbert, Logan Bleich and Jacob Tallman. They have run fast on there home course before and are looking for an upset. The course record was set last week when Ethan Zuber dipped under 15 completing the course in 14:56.5.

Runners to Watch

Notable Girl Runners to Watch:
3A: #1 Marissa Ferebee (11, Pella), #3 Elsie Brenneman (10, Pella), #6 Alexis Hergenreter (10, North Polk), #12 Ruth Dunham (10, Pella), #15 Lizzy Vande Voort (9, Pella), #18 Mara Schiebout (12, Pella), #20 Raegan Snieder (12, Pella), #25 Ava Hope (9, Winterset), #29 Kinley Mai (9, Solon).
2A: #5 Laura Streck (10, Van Meter), #19 Bailey Vos (11, Pella Christian), #22 Dalaney Eldridge (9, West Marshall), #23 Carmen Sharp (10, Forest City), #26 Muren Sharp (9, Forest City).
1A: #5 Madelyn Grothus (10, Madrid), #7 Katelyn Branderhorst (11, Madrid), #18 Hannah Brandhorst (10, Madrid), #30 Ava Campbell (12, ACGC).

Runners to Watch in the Boys Race:
3A: #1 Canaan Dunham (11, Pella), #3 Logan Bleich (10, Gilbert), #5 Jacob Tallman (10, Gilbert), #10 Carson Squiers (10, Gilbert), #11 Emmett Barber (12, Gilbert), #14 Isaac Sorensen (12, Clear Creek Amana), #17 Mason Gaulke (11, Pella), #19 Emrick Ryan (11, Gilbert), #20 Brock Hilsman (12, Clear Creek Amana), #25 Noah Schuknecht (11, Pella).
2A: #8 Keagan Albertson (10, Forest City), #12 Sawyer Meinders (11, Pella Christian), #22 Silas Gann (11, Forest City).
1A: #19 Gavin Sloss (12, ACGC).

The cliché fits—this is a loaded field. Let’s enjoy these amazing athletes!

Encourage family, friends, and fans to come out and support:

• Wear your Dutch Green!
• Bring your best positive cheer voice and cheer on the Dutch….by name if you know it!

• September 21 – Heartland Classic – Central College Campus, Pella IA
• TBD