The Hempstead girls cross country team defended their Class 4A state championship over the weekend at the State Cross Country Meet in Fort Dodge while Dubuque Senior placed 3rd. The Mustangs ran away from the field with 3 top 10 finishes led by Julia Gehl in 3rd, Keelee Leitzen was 8th and Brooke O’ Briend 10th. Leah Klapatauskas paced the Rams with a 13th place effort. In the boys race Hempstead placed 12th led by John Maloney with a 10th place run.
In Class 3A: Isaiah Hammarand of Western Dubuque managed a 3rd place finish. Alyssa Klein of W-D finished 22nd for the top 3A area girls finish.
In Class 1A on Friday: The Bellevue boys finished 3rd in the team race led by Payton Griebel who finished 3rd. Cascade was 9th and Clayton Ridge 13th. In the girls race, Cascade was 13th of the 16 teams.