We’re continuing our KCII Top 10 Countdown of the biggest area high school sports stories of 2022-2023. At number 7 is three Southeast Iowa Super Conference cross country runners qualifying for the Class 1A state championships.

The lone 1A girls’ runner from the Super Conference North to make it to state was Vivian Zaruba of Lone Tree. The Lion sophomore competed at Fort Dodge to cap a spectacular season where she finished in the top 10 nine times, including a sixth-place finish at districts and a top finish of second place at the Winfield-Mount Union Invitational.

On the boys’ side, Columbus junior Damian Vergara made it to state after a sixth-place time of 17 minutes 59 seconds at districts, his fastest race of the season. Vergara bettered that time by 20 seconds and finished 49th at the 1A meet after four top-10 finishes during the season.

Winfield-Mount Union sophomore Kohlby Newsom came in seventh at districts to earn his way to state after running his own season-best time of 18:15, earning his eighth top-10 of the season. Newsom would end up running his personal best at state as well, completing the course in 17:36 on his way to finishing 43rd.

The countdown of Top 10 area sports stories will continue tomorrow. Find the stories every day as they are announced at KCIIradio.com.