Danny Halva is all alone in first as he makes a sharp right turn and eyes the new hill in this year’s race. The course changed because of soccer matches at the W.U. Rec Complex. The old course went through the parking lot and near the soccer fields. Halva won his second straight Invite in his last home meet as a TigerHawk. (Jerry Wadian photo)

Halva wins his 2nd TigerHawk

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

The Third Annual TigerHawk Cross Country Invitational saw NFV senior Danny Halva win the boys’ race for the second straight year. For the girls, Macy Niewoehner and Natalie Moyle medaled, with Becca Miller coming close.

In the team races, the TigerHawk girls were fourth and the boys, seventh. NFV had five runners out with assorted minor injuries. Halva led the entire race, but Denver’s Curren Matthias stayed close as the duo  finished in 17:35 and 17:50, respectively.

In the girls’ varsity race, Niewoehner was fourth, up from 12^th last year. Moyle, who finished 22^nd last year, moved up to 12^th.

Medals in both races went to 25^th place. Miller was 28^th.

Head coach Tracy Nuss stated, “Danny ran a smart race that put him on top for his last home race.

  “I have now seen what my young team looks like compared to other area schools, and I can see we've got some catching up to do.”

Nuss also commented on the change in the course for this year, saying, “We changed the course because we knew there would be soccer games going on at the Rec Center.  The old course used to bump right up next to one of the fields and crossed the parking lot.  We just wanted to avoid any extra interference.”  

Varsity Boys

Team Results

1. Waukon, 58; 2. Denver, 60; 3. Central/Elkader, 85; 4. Cascade, 106; 5. Osage, 116; 6. W. Delaware, 144; 7. North Fayette Valley, 195; 8. Clayton Ridge, 209; 9. MFL/MM,- 246; 10. Kee High, 288.

Individual TigerHawk Results

1. Halva, 17:35; 44. Easton, 21:01; 49. O’Hare, 21:59; 50. DeLuca, 22:08; 51. Schupbach, 22:15; 60.Durnan, 26:14.

Varsity girls

Team Results

1. Osage, 38; 2. Cascade, 60; 3. Central/Elkader, 67; 4. NFV, 114; 5. Denver, 120; 6. Clayton Ridge, 198; 7. W. Delaware, 222; 8. Waukon, 224; 9.

MFL/MM, 231; 9. Tripoli, 231.

Individual TigerHawk Results*

4. Niewoehner; 9. N. Moyle; 28. Miller; 35. Hanson; 38. E. Moyle; 39. Feldman; 40. O’Hare.

*Individual times not available in girls’ race.

Earlier in the week, NFV opened its season at the Dick Pollit Go-Hawk Invitational in Waverly.

The Thursday meet was run by grade level rather than by varsity or JV. Over 30 schools were represented

In the women’s race, the TigerHawk freshmen finished eighth; the sophomores, seventh; and the seniors ran third; there were only two juniors running, not enough for a full team.

Individually, Macy Niewoehner and Moyle earned medals. Niewoehner was fourth for the sophs, and Moyle finished seventh among the seniors.

For the boys, the freshmen had the only full team. Individually, Halva medaled after placing second to C.J. May of A-P.

After the race, Nuss commented, “After this first race, Halva and Niewoehner are in great position to have a good season.

“I was very impressed with our freshman and sophomore runners. Three of our five freshman boys wiped away some early nerves to run smart races, earning faster times. 

“Freshman Emma Moyle ran a great second half of a race to earn a solid time. 

“The female upperclassmen still control most of the fastest times.  They've got experience, and they want to get back to State.  Emma's older sister, Natalie Moyle, ran a great race last night that earned her a medal as well.”

Individual Girls’ Results

Freshmen- 13. E. Moyle, 24:33; 24. Streif, 25:46; Megan Niewoehner, 26:00.

Sophomores- 4. Macy Niewoehner, 21:42; 19. Halverson, 24:34; 48. Winsell, 29:27; 60. Kerr, 32:20.

Juniors- 25. Feldman, 24:32; 34. Muggler, 25:24.

Seniors- 7. N. Moyle, 22:08; 18. Miller, 23:28; 22. O’Hare, 24:11; 46. Lamb.

Individual Boys’ Results

Freshmen- 29. Halverson, 21:34; 30. Schupbach, 21:46; 37. O’Hare, 22:18; 71. Durnan, 24:30; 93. Guyer, 29:41; 95. Amundson, 20:01.

Juniors- 60. Wolverton, 23:16; 83. Mueller, 29:12.

Seniors- 2. Halva, 17:33.