Spencer, Ia (Northwest Iowa Now) – The Siouxland Conference was already a highly competitive league when it came to Cross Country, but the addition of five typically competitive Lakes Conference teams and Western Christian (Hl), the 2026 edition was expected to be a classic and delivered.

In the Girls race, Natalie Anderson of MOC-Floyd Valley claimed the individual title with a time of 17:34.15.  For many of the teams competing, they started the 2026 season in Spencer.  Anderson liked being able to get back on a familiar course.

Spencer put three runners in the top 10 with Minnie Matthiesen 6th at 19:19.92, Emerie Fullhart 8th at 19:26.11, and Laynee Healey 9th at 19:37.59.  Spencer has been battling with Sioux Center and MOC-Floyd Valley all season long, and Matthiesen has appreciated having that competition.

Also achieving All-Conference status was Spirit Lake’s Ella Beck who ran 20:11.43 to take 13th.

In the Girls Team Standings, Sioux Center won with 51 points, MOC-Floyd Valley was 2nd with 69, and Unity Christian (OC) was 3rd at 75.  Spencer was 4th, Spirit Lake 5th, Cherokee 7th, and Storm Lake was 8th.  Okoboji would finish 9th, led by freshman Zoey Dodds who was happy to be familiar with the Spencer course.

Sheldon finished 10th in the team standings with Estherville Lincoln Central 11th.

In the Boys race, Jace Hungerford of Spirit Lake ran a time of 15:39.78 to win the individual Conference Title.  Hungerford has been dominating all year but was challenged well by Western Christian (Hl)’s Ian Ten Napel for much of the race.  Hungerford talked about being challenged by the Wolfpack Junior.

Jayden Hegenbarth was a 4th place finisher for Sheldon with a time of 16:13.22.  Other KICD 9-County Area All-Conference finishers include Storm Lake’s Heath Kampbell and Spirit Lake’s Chidi Nwala.

In the team standings, Sioux Center dominated with 34 points, putting all 5 scorers in the top 10 for team scoring.  2nd was Unity Christian (OC) with 70, and Spirit Lake was 3rd with 87.  Sheldon would take 5th.  The Orabs have been very competitive this season.  Hagenbarth told Northwest Iowa Now what it’s like competing alongside his Sheldon teammates.

Okoboji was 7th, Storm Lake 8th, Spencer finished 9th, Cherokee 10th, and Estherville Lincoln Central was 11th.