Webster City’s Jacob Willson competes during yesterday’s Class 3A State Qualifying Meet at Joe Sheldon Park in Humboldt. Messenger photo/Britt Kudla

HUMBOLDT — It simply wasn’t meant to be.

Looking to break an eight-year drought at the state cross country meet, the Webster City boys’ squad was slightly off its game on the tricky and treacherous course at Joe Sheldon Park yesterday afternoon. Consequently, it wasn’t a factor in the team conversation at the Class 3A State Qualifying Meet.

The Lynx landed in eighth place with 208 points, well behind the top three teams that advanced to Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge, once again the site of the state meet, next Saturday.

Sixth-ranked and two-time defending state champion Gilbert controlled the race and won the team title with 66 points. No. 15 Waverly-Shell Rock was the runner-up with 85, followed by host and 10th-ranked Humboldt with 93.

The top 15 individuals advanced as well and Jacob Willson gave it a go, but the WCHS leader came up 21 seconds short. He placed 20th in 17:57; Ethyn Chesnut of Waverly-Shell Rock was 15th in 17:36.

Matt Perin occupied the 25th-place position in 18:09 for the Lynx. Jose Ramirez also broke into the top 50; he was 43rd in 18:42.

Jackson Moberly (55th, 19:14), the lone senior on the WCHS team, and Cole Reiling (65th, 19:32) also factored into the scoring.

The WCHS girls’ squad finished at the back of the 12-team field with 331 points. Top-ranked Ballard had all seven of its runners place in the top 13 en route to a dominant showing with 30 points. No. 11-ranked Spencer (82) was second, followed by No. 8 Sioux City Heelan (94) in third.

Kaelyn Butz led the Lynx for the second consecutive meet. The junior turned in a time of 22:38 to finish in 48th place. Jacie Crutcher (23:25) was next to cross in 63rd, while Emma Peck (23:30) nipped at her heels in 66th.

Allison Oswald (24:36) was 75th and Brynna Croy (26:20) took 81st.

Humboldt’s Quinton Orr was the boys’ individual champion in 16:29. Waverly-Shell Rock’s Emma Hoins topped the girls’ field in 19:16.

Class 3A State Qualifying Meet

Thursday at Joe Sheldon Park

Humboldt

BOYS RESULTS

Team Standings

1. Gilbert 66; 2. Waverly-Shell Rock 85; 3. Humboldt 93; 4. LeMars 122; 5. MOC-Floyd Valley 123; 6. Sergeant Bluff-Luton 123; 7. Spencer 173; 8. Webster City 208; 9. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 221; 10. Ballard 259; 11. Algona 286; 12. Storm Lake 303; 13. Sioux City Heelan 327.

Individual Champion — Quinton Orr, Humboldt, 16:29.

Webster City Results

20. Jacob Willson 17:57; 25. Matt Perin 18:09; 43. Jose Ramirez 18:42; 55. Jackson Moberly 19:14; 65. Cole Reiling 19:32; 84. Reece Sadler 21:05; 85. Kasey Porter 21:06.

GIRLS RESULTS

Team Standings

1. Ballard 30; 2. Spencer 82; 3. Sioux City Heelan 94; 4. Sergeant Bluff-Luton 156; 5. MOC-Floyd Valley 156; 6. LeMars 184; 7. Gilbert 191; 8. Waverly-Shell Rock 202; 9. Algona 226; 10. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 227; 11. Humboldt 234; 12. Webster City 331.

Individual Champion — Emma Hoins, Waverly-SR, 19:16.

Webster City Results

48. Kaelyn Butz 22:38; 63. Jacie Crutcher 23:25; 66. Emma Peck 23:30; 75. Allison Oswald 24:36; 81. Brynna Croy 26:20; 84. Ella Hansen 26:55.