The Atlantic Boys and Girls Cross Country teams are preparing for their home meet on Thursday, October 8th at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club.  Racing will begin at 4:00pm with the Middle School Girls race.  The final of 6 races is set to begin at 6:00pm.  Spectators should enter on 22nd Street  and park in the driving range.  The start and finish area will be near the parking area at the Hole 10 tee box area.  Approximately 900 runners are expected to take par in the meet with 28 Varsity teams on hand.

In the Girls Varsity race 3A 7th ranked Dallas Center-Grimes and 3A 12th ranked Denison-Schleswig will be the team favorites.  Harlan, Glenwood, and Shenandoah-Essex (9th in 2A) are some of the expected top challenging teams.  Individually Lexi Smith of Dallas Center-Grimes will be one of the favorites to win the race with Tiffany Williams of Atlantic, Ellie Mendlik of Denison-Schleswig, and Kye Madsen of Lewis Central are expected to challenge for the lead.  The Girls race will feature 160 plus runners.

In the Boys Varsity Race 3A 4th Ranked Dallas Center-Grimes is a slight team favorite with 3A 6th Ranked Harlan, 3A 13th Ranked Winterset, and Thomas Jefferson some of the top contenders. Individually Cooper McDermott of Creston and Brenden O’Brien of Lewis Central are expected to battle for the win with John Dahlheimer of Thomas Jefferson and Curtis Harryman of Winterset expected to compete at the front.

The meet will also feature a Co-Ed Trophy and Dallas Center-Grimes will be a large favorite to win. Harlan, Shenandoah, Winterset, Lewis Central, and Atlantic are also expected to have good showings in both races.