The Iowa Association of Track Coaches have released their 2014 preseason rankings and the girls’ team from Greene County High School is ranked seventh in Class 2A. The Rams, under the direction of coach Kelly Simpson, placed ninth in 2013 at the 2A state meet. The top runner last season was Allison Higgins, who graduated last spring. The Rams do return the numbers two through six finishers from the state meet. Coach Simpson said he expected some preseason recognition for the girls, but the seventh spot was perhaps a bit higher than he thought. “A couple of 2A teams that were at state last year moved up to 3A and a couple of 1A teams moved up to 2A. It’s really a crap shoot at this point of the season,” the veteran coach told Raccoon Valley Radio.

Greene County is one of five Heart of Iowa Activities Conference girls’ teams to show up in the preseason rankings. Gilbert is number two in 3A, while North Polk (Alleman) is 10th in 2A and Roland-Story (Story City) is 2A’s 11th ranked team. South Hamilton (Jewell) is ranked 11th in 1A. Also, West Central Valley’s (Stuart) girls are ranked number 14 in 2A and Panorama (Panora) is number 13 in 1A.  The Gilbert boys are number one in 3A with North Polk at number six in 2A.

The Greene County girls and boys are scheduled to open the 2014 season on Thursday, Aug. 28 in Ames on the Iowa State University Course for the Gilbert Invitational at 5 p.m.