Last Thursday, both the boys and girls cross country teams qualified for the state tournament, held on Saturday, Oct. 29. Both teams are looking to improve from their finishes last year, with the boys finishing eighth and the girls ending up fifth.

The Trojans finished third at the state qualifying meet with 64 points, behind Cedar Rapids Prairie (55) and Pleasant Valley (33). Kolby Greiner ’19 and Ali Ali ’17 led the team, finishing second and third, respectively, followed by Andrew Murley ’17 (ninth), Ethan Trepka ’18 (24th) and Ethan Goers ’18 (26th).

Going into the state meet the boys are ranked 12th. Individuals ranked include Greiner at ninth and Ali at 11th. The top ranked teams at the state meet include Pleasant Valley and West Des Moines schools Dowling and Valley.

The Women of Troy won the state qualifying meet with 49 points, followed by Pleasant Valley (54) and North Scott (67). Gabby Skopec ’17 and Bailey Nock ’18 finished first and second, respectively, followed by Jessie Skopec ’17 (14th), Olivia Moore ’17 (15th) and Claire Ronnebaum ’18 (17th).

Going into the state meet the girls are ranked sixth, proving their contention for the state title. Throughout the season, the team has been ranked in the top 15 every week, spending four weeks at the number two spot. Individually, Gabby Skopec has been ranked at the top spot for multiple weeks, followed by Nock, who has also been ranked all season.

The team will face tough competition on Saturday from Johnston, Cedar Falls and City, who are ranked first, second and third, respectively.

Keep up with all of Saturday’s action with @wssathletics on Twitter. Live tweeting will begin at 11 a.m. for the girls race, followed by the boys race.