When Washington is represented at this week’s Iowa High School State Cross Country Meet in Fort Dodge they will have a seasoned veteran and a newcomer set to compete at Lakeside Golf Course. 

Senior Lance Sobaski is making his third trip to state in class 3A while sophomore Micah Rees will make his debut. The duo have gone one-two in various meets throughout the year and Rees tells KCII Sports Sobaski has been a role model that he will rely on once again this week. “He has been a great influence this year and is really encouraging. His experience has been beneficial for me and I will lean on him a lot this week.” Head Coach Stefanie Haworth is already seeing the leadership in practice ahead of the state meet. “Lance knows what it is all about up there so he has been coaching Micah about what to expect in Fort Dodge. Micah did come up with us last year, but running is a lot different than being a spectator. Having each other to talk through different spots on the course is going to be a huge thing for Micah.”

Sobaski is ranked sixth in the latest individual rankings by the Iowa Track Coaches Association and he qualified after placing third at last week’s qualifier in Solon. Rees is ranked 26th and placed ninth in Solon by matching his personal record time of 16:56. This is the first time Washington has had multiple runners at state since they qualified as a team in 1998. 

The pair of Demons will run at 3:15 p.m. on Friday at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.