Bulldog seniors Clay, Van Wyhe run at All-Star Meet

It might have seemed a little bit anticlimactic, but that didn't stop Le Mars senior cross country runners Chris Clay and Rene Van Wyhe from running at the 2009 IATC Senior All-Star meet on November 7 in Ames.

The event, held a week after the 'Dogs earned a 10th-place finish in their first state meet appearance since 1990, was held on Iowa State University cross country course.

"That was a pretty good time," said Van Wyhe, who placed 38th in the 105 runner field in 18:30.

"We were looking forward to that day to go down there and just run our race. We weren't under any pressure."

Clay placed 23rd in 18:12. Fellow Le Mars senior Gage Sitzmann was invited to run, but declined the invitation.

Runners were selected based on a nomination process that included race times, accomplishments and other honors received. Clay and Van Wyhe each earned All-Lakes Conference honors this season.

"It was just kind of a fun thing and some recognition for the kids around the state," Le Mars coach Al Engebretson said. "They got run on the same team as some (opponents)."

Athletes were divided according to region and Northwest Iowa, which included the Bulldog runners, won the meet.

Boone's Brogan Austin, the 3A state champion at Fort Dodge a week earlier, won the All-Star race in a meet record time of 16:25.

Paul Yak, who ran for Storm Lake while attending Storm Lake St. Mary's, was second in 16:41.

Both were members of the Northwest Iowa team.

Van Wyhe said the competition was stiff even though the high school season officially wrapped up the week before.

"It was harder than what I expected, actually," Van Wyhe said.

"I thought it was going to be people not taking it as serious because it was the last meet, but everybody actually took it seriously and it was fun."

After the race, the Le Mars contingent attended the Iowa State-Oklahoma state football game, though Engebretson said they missed the kickoff because the race started late.

Clay and Van Wyhe are undecided in their plans for next year, but both would like to continue to run if given the opportunity.

"I'm going to miss this sport," Van Wyhe said.

"I love running, especially when there is competition involved. (If there is) competition, I'm there."