Moeller dances to Wamac title; MV-L boys also win
By Jim Ecker
CEDAR RAPIDS – Eveyln Moeller of Mount Vernon looks like a ballet dancer when she runs, with long graceful strides and spring-like motions while keeping her body in perfect rhythm.
Moeller pranced to another impressive victory at the Wamac Conference cross country meet Wednesday at Seminole Valley Park and solidifed her spot as the heavy favorite for a state title.
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon boys made it an extra-special day for the program by claiming their second Wamac crown in a row.
Moeller has never taken ballet lessons, but she’s been a dancer since she was 7 or 8.
“I do Irish dancing,” she said, referring to the traditional dance that began in Ireland. “My mom said I needed to do something. It gives me flexibility with my body.”
Just like running, Irish dancing requires precise movements and lots of energy. Moeller displayed all that and more, winning the 5K race by 68 seconds in a time of 16:38.2. When Moeller ran at Seminole Valley Park earlier this season, she was clocked in 17 minutes, 27 seconds, so she chopped an incredible 49 seconds off her previous outing on the northeast side of Cedar Rapids.
“It was a little hot that day,” she recalled. “Coach said I couldn’t go out too fast.”
There were no restrictions this time on a comfortable fall afternoon.
“I was really excited for today,” she said. “I think I went out a little too fast because I was so excited. I held on at the end.”
By “held on,” Moeller meant she left everybody else in the dust.
“I’ve lost words to describe Evelyn,” said Mount Vernon-Lisbon Coach Kory Swart. “She’s on her own path now.”
That path will take her to the state meet in Fort Dodge in a few weeks.
Harper Winegarden of Williamsburg placed second in the girls race in 17:46.3. Aaliyah Causey of Center Point-Urbana was third in 18:05.9. Emerson Dabroski of Marion placed eithth.
Williamsburg captured the girls title, followed by Solon and Mount Vernon-Lisbon. Center Point-Urbana finished fifth, Marion sixth, Benton Community seventh and Vinton-Shellsburg ninth.
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon boys edged Clear Creek-Amana, 44-47, for their second straight Wamac title. The Benton Bobcats finished third with 63.
“It was a great race between us and CCA, and Benton was in it, too,” said Swart. “We needed some great performances in the last mile. Honestly, it was the whole group.”
Swart said several of his runners advanced several spots in the last mile to make a big difference in the standings. Kyler Happel finished third, Anthony Armstrong sixth, Casey Swart eighth, Connor Teague ninth and Adam Swart 18th.
Carson Meskimen of Clear Creek-Amana won the race in 15:33.4. Collin Cook of Marion ran a strong race and finished second. Jack Lange of Benton was fourth.
Marion placed fourth in the boys’ standings. Center Point-Urbana was eighth and Vinton-Shellsburg 11th.
