EAGLE GROVE — Jose Ramirez and the Webster City boys’ cross country team continued their late-season surges on the undulating Eagle Grove Golf Course Tuesday afternoon, as the Lynx came oh-so close to claiming a second straight meet title.

Clear Lake and WCHS both tallied 50 points, but the Lions captured the crown on the strength of the fifth runner tiebreaker. Still, a runner-up finish was nothing to sneeze at.

“The boys had another quality run on another fun course,” WCHS head coach Derek Turner said. “If we can put a few things together I think we can be a really competitive squad down the stretch.”

No. 15-ranked (Class 3A) Humboldt was without 2019 state runner-up and current No. 1-ranked individual Quinton Orr. The Wildcats still had the gold medalist — Eric Wittrock cruised to the win in 17:05.48 — but settled for third in the team race with 60 points.

Ramirez paced WCHS for the second straight meet, as he moved to the front of the team pack early on and held on for a fourth-place finish in 18:08.20.

“Jose went out and laid it on the line in the first mile,” Turner said. “(It was) fun to see him challenge some of the top guys in the area.”

Jacob Willson and Matt Perin weren’t far behind. Willson came across in sixth with a time of 18:13.00, and Perin was one more spot back in seventh with a time of 18:30.77.

Cole Reiling (18:44.27) gave the Lynx 11th-place points, and Codey Berg (19:35.40) continued to be a solid fifth scorer en route to a 22nd-place performance.

Clear Lake will host the North Central Conference meet on Tuesday. If Orr competes, Humboldt will be the predominant favorite. Clear Lake, WCHS and St. Edmond should all be in the mix as well.

Emma Peck cracked the top 10 and the WCHS girls’ team was sixth with 111 points on Tuesday. Humboldt took home the girls’ team title with 65 points, four ahead of runner-up Emmetsburg (69).

Peck toured the course in 22:51.53 to finish sixth. She put some distance between herself and teammate Kaelyn Butz, who was 13th in 23:44.59. Jacie Crutcher (24:00.27) gave WCHS a third top-15 performer; she was 15th.

Carly Appel (28:05.55, 40th) and Brynna Croy (30:08.52, 47th) completed the scoring.

Dick Bell Invite

Tuesday at Eagle Grove

BOYS RESULTS

Team Standings

1. Clear Lake 50; 2. Webster City 50; 3. Humboldt 60; 4. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 126; 5. Garner-Hayfield/Ventura 137; 6. Algona 138; 7. Emmetsburg 169; 8. Estherville-Lincoln Central 181.

Individual Winner — Eric Wittrock, Humboldt, 17:05.48.

Webster City Results

4. Jose Ramirez 18:08.20; 6. Jacob Willson 18:13.00; 7. Matt Perin 18:30.77; 11. Cole Reiling 18:44.27; 22. Codey Berg 19:35.40; 31. Wyatt Bingham 19:57.76; 40. Reece Sadler 20:34.14.

GIRLS RESULTS

Team Standings

1. Humboldt 65; 2. Emmetsburg 69; 3. Algona 75; 4. Garner-Hayfield/Ventura 100; 5. Estherville-Lincoln Central 111; 6. Webster City 111; 7. Clear Lake 140.

Individual Winner — Abby Christians, Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, 20:56.58.

Webster City Results

6. Emma Peck 22:51.53; 13. Kaelyn Butz 23:44.59; 15. Jacie Crutcher 24:00.27; 40. Carly Appel 28:05.55; 47. Brynna Croy 30:08.52.