Photo Courtesy of Hillcrest Academy Yearbook

Local runners are back on the course for their first races of the year next week. Ahead of the first competitions of the year, the Iowa Association of Track Coaches have released their preseason cross country polls. Hillcrest Academy sophomore Marie Yoder appears in the first 1A rankings of the season. The Raven runner is ranked No. 15.

Yoder was the individual Southeast Iowa Superconference runner-up a season ago, tying a school record for best finish. She was the champion at her 1A State Qualifier Meet in Iowa City to advance to the State Championships in Fort Dodge, where she finished as an All-Stater in 13th place with a school record time of 19:41. Her All-State finish was the first for the program in 19 years.

Yoder and the rest of the Ravens get their season underway Tuesday, September 3rd when they host their annual Early Bird Meet.