Iowa Falls-Alden/AGWSR girls cross country teammates Demi Beaubien and Piper Smith will prepare this week for their first ever Class 3A state meet on Friday in Fort Dodge.
Beaubien qualified with a 9th place finish in 19:45 and Smith qualified with a 12th place time of 19:56 at 3A qualifier at Wartburg on October 23rd.
Beaubien on running with teammate Piper, getting healthy and learning from state experience.
“Definitely helps me knowing that Piper’s behind me, cheering me on from right there, and we’re cheering each other on,” says Beaubien. “Definitely getting healthy and focusing. It’s my first time going, and I just wanna see how I do. I can’t wait to use this as a base for next year, and see how much more I can do. I’m so grateful for my coaches.”
Smith on state qualification and preparing for the race.
“Remembering I have to keep the energy for the end. Super excited,” says Smith. “Lots of training and running a lot. Honestly, rest days are just as important. I will be doing both to make sure that I’m ready for Friday.”
IFA/AGWSR Head Coach Michael Rottink on the driven performance of both Beaubien and Smith at the 3A qualifier.
“I thought they put together a really strong performance. It wasn’t a surprise to us because we know what we’ve done all season long. Really what we saw was what they’ve laid down throughout the season,” says Rottink. “We expected Demi to go out and be right in a spot with those leaders there. She left no doubt from the get go, she was in a qualifying spot and just had a hold on to that. Piper settled in a little bit there. She wasn’t quite in that top 15 spot, but really gutted her way around the course. At the halfway mark, we could see she was making a move on the field and with about maybe 400 meters to go was in a qualifying spot. Then she still even picked up a few more spots along the way to settle into 12th. I’m really proud to see that.”
The Class 3A state girls race will be Friday, November 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge.
