JEWELL – Cooling off this week isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

It’s a heck of a lot better than having it happen next week or the week after that.

In its final tune-up before Monday’s Heart of Iowa Conference meet, and just 14 days away from the state qualifying meet, the seventh-ranked (Class 1A) South Hamilton boys’ cross country team struggled on its home course and finished fifth in the Jim Klein Invitational at the Jewell Golf and Country Club yesterday evening.

The competition was good, that’s not in question, but the Hawks didn’t put up good enough times to contend with the leaders.

Tenth-ranked (3A) Gilbert claimed the boys’ team title. Sixth-ranked (2A) Eagle Grove was the runner-up, followed by No. 11 (2A) East Marshall and Madrid/Woodward-Granger.

Point totals weren’t available.

“I don’t know if it was the home meet or what,” South Hamilton head coach Darrell Paulsen said. “Our preparation isn’t where I want it to be right now, and I don’ think we warmed up very well.”

South Hamilton still kept its gap narrowed between the scoring runners, but the times were higher than in previous meets. Logan Peters was again the team leader; he was 23rd in 17:55. Devon Fisher (18:05) followed in 29th, Drake Thompson (18:09) placed 31st and Josiah Brown (18:19) settled into 36th.

Gaige Pickering (18:34), still bothered by injury, gutted out a 41st-place result.

All five of the Hawks’ scorers finished in under 18 minutes at Tuesday’s Eagle Grove Invitational.

The South Hamilton girls’ team placed 14th on its home course.

Annie Johnson (25:26) was the first Hawk to complete the five-kilometer course. Emily Willadson (25:48), Hayley Bell (26:17), Raquel Holt (28:11) and Selena Schmitz (30:09) also factored into the team’s scoring total.

Places for the girls also weren’t made available.

Monday’s HOIC meet will be held once again at the Iowa State University Course in Ames.