Two Ottumwa High School runners will compete in the State Cross Country meet at Kennedy Park in Ft. Dodge on Saturday, October 27.
Alli Bookin-Nosbisch and Carollin Mellin, juniors, will make repeat appearances at the meet. They hope the weather will be better than the cold conditions they ran in last year. “My goal is to place higher than last year,” said Mellin. In the 2017 competition, she placed 36th.
Bookin-Nosbisch plans to “leave everything out on the course” and not hold back. “I will compete to the best of my abilities.” She placed 35th in 2017.
The girls are not only teammates but friends. They train together and support each other’s efforts. During the summer, the duo logs over 30 miles a week. Most of training is on the Wildwood Park course. Both prefer running on a grassy surface verses road runs. This is to prevent injuries.
They are also supporters of the sport and encourage others to join. “Running helps with everything,” said Mellin. “There are lots of benefits.” Both will run track this spring and hope for collegiate running careers after high school.
“Alli and Carollin have been great leaders for our team and have worked hard to overcome challenges to qualify again for the state cross country meet,” said Joss Teed and Angie Chaney, coaches. “They deserve the spotlight the state meet provides and have earned their title as top runners in the state. We are extremely proud of them as should the entire Bulldog Nation.”
