The DCG Mustangs cross country group had a remarkable year as a team and finished their season with two girls on the podium in the state championships. 

This girls team started out the year slower than they would have liked, placing in just one of their first five meets. But it was a second-place finish at Southeast Polk that really energized this squad. Including the SE Polk invitational, the Mustangs finished in the top five in their final five races of the year to earn a spot in the 4A state championship.

At the Lakeside Municipal Golf Course, DCG brought their A-game. Junior Piper Messerly ran a 17:41 to finish first and claim the crown, making it back-to-back 1st place finishes at state for Messerly. Teammate Tenley Heidgerken followed close behind with a time of 17:51 to finish third.

Those two paced their team and brought the Mustangs to a top-five finish in state with a 4th place final, putting a ribbon on an incredible season for girls cross country.