The average fan may not pay attention to team or individual rankings for high school cross country, but northwest Iowa features some of the state's best programs and athletes.

That level of talent was on display during Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's cross country invitational on Sept. 20. Three Class 2A girls' teams and a handful of individuals ranked by the Iowa Track Coaches Association dominated the field during the meet held at Sanborn Golf and Country Club.

Sibley-Ocheyedan (No. 9), Cherokee (No. 8) and George-Little Rock/Central Lyon (No. 20) finished at the top of the girls' standings with 41, 43 and 82 points, respectively. The remaining teams in the field were Alta-Aurelia in fourth with 111 points, Hinton 112, Sioux Central 132 and H-M-S 175.

The Hawk girls were led by Madison Otto who finished 13th (22:42). Kamryn Ebel placed 34th (24:51) and Ashleigh Vermeer (27:11), Gracie Knobloch (27:16) and Juliana Pasillas (27:50) came in 44th, 45th and 46th.

The H-M-S boys' best finish was 17th place by George Vargas (20:03). Bryce Dodge came in 26th (20:40), Aiden Bush was 35th (21:21), Blaine Finster (22:37) and Aiden Jensen (22:38) finished 46th and 47th, Damian Dodge ran 51st (23:39) and Ryan Grotluschen placed 56th (24:56).

SCOTT CHRISMAN/SANBORN PIONEER

Juliana Pasillas runs the course at Sanborn Golf and Country Club during H-M-S's cross country meet on Sept. 20.

No participating boys' teams are ranked but there was competition for several places in the standings. Sioux Central won the title with 56 points and George-LR/CL was runner-up with 67. Cherokee edged MMCRU in the battle for third (87-88), followed by Sibley-Ocheyedan 126, Hinton 151, Alta-Aurelia 163, H-M-S 165 and South O'Brien 215.

Gavin Faulkner competed in boys' JV and finished 13th (24:36).

The Hawks have a break until their next meet on Oct. 7, hosted by George-LR/CL at the Otter Valley course near George.