Humboldt senior Bryce Gidel will look to become the first four-time NCC individual champion this evening at the Webster City Links. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

WEBSTER CITY — There have been 29 girls that know what it feels like to win a North Central Conference individual cross country title. But none of them have enjoyed that feeling four times.

Is this the year that changes? We’ll find out later today.

Humboldt senior Bryce Gidel will attempt to become the league’s first four-time champion this evening at the Webster City Links when the NCC girls’ varsity race gets underway at 5:05 p.m.

Gidel, a University of Iowa recruit, is one of four girls to win three gold medals and she’s done so in a relatively stress-free way. But she’ll certainly be pushed today and, truth be told, she’s arguably not even the favorite entering the race. That distinction could be held by Iowa Falls-Alden junior Ellie Meyer, who has beaten Gidel in three head-to-head meetings this season.

Working in Gidel’s favor will be her familiarity with the flat course. She’s never lost in three outings on the terrain during the Lynx Invite and she owns the course record of 19:39, set in 2017.

Meyer is no stranger to the big moment, however. She ran on the Cadets’ 4×800-meter relay that won back-to-back Class 3A state track titles in 2018 and 2019. Meyer has been beaten just once this fall.

Humboldt will look to continue its team dominance. The Wildcats have captured nine of the previous 10 conference championships, including the last six in succession. But this might not be the slam dunk it’s been in previous years, as Algona, Iowa Falls-Alden and 12th-ranked (1A) St. Edmond could all jump up to challenge Humboldt.

Webster City will send a six-runner pack onto the course. Comprised primarily of underclassmen, the Lynx aren’t expected to figure into the team title conversation, but head coach Joe Lambert is confident his runners will step up in front of the home crowd.

“As a varsity team we struggle to match the experience and confidence that some of the other teams have, but the girls work hard and I expect them to put their best races forward,” he said.

Lynx sophomore Jacie Crutcher placed 11th a season ago in a new 5K school record time of 21:21.26 when the NCC meet shifted to a road race due to saturated grounds.

Also running for WCHS today will be Emma Peck, Kaelyn Butz, Allison Oswald, Ella Hanson and Brynna Croy.

Today’s Schedule

3:30 p.m. — Presentation of colors and National Anthem on starting fairway.

3:45 p.m. — Middle school girls race (2 miles).

4:10 p.m. — Middle school boys race (2 miles).

4:35 p.m. — JV girls race (5K).

5:05 p.m. — Varsity girls race (5K).

5:35 p.m. — Varsity boys race (5K).

6:00 p.m. — JV boys race (5K).