Comets hope growth spurts mean more speed for returning XC state qualifiers

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — If Ryan Rahmiller was Charles City’s head basketball coach, he would probably be pleased — to say the least — of the recent growth spurts of two of his star freshmen from last season.

Rahmiller is instead the Comets’ boys cross country coach. But he’ll take the growth spurts, anyway.

“You can see that they’ve both gotten much taller and bigger,” Rahmiller said in reference to Xander Graeser and Nick Williams, now sophomores who are starting to approach 6 feet tall.

They may not be able to dunk a basketball quite yet, but the added height naturally comes with a longer stride, and a longer stride usually means more distance covered in a shorter period of time.

Nice to have or grow into if you’re a distance runner.

Both runners made the most of their shorter leg strides last season when they qualified for the State Cross Country Championships after Graeser and Williams placed 13th and 15th, respectively, at the State Qualifier at Oneota Golf Course in Decorah.

With 2022 graduate Jacob Vais also qualifying as an individual for Charles City, the Comets boys squad qualified as a team for the first time since 2014.

“Qualifying individually as freshmen is a rare feat,” Rahmiller said. “They’ll have a new team this year with many departing seniors, but they know now what it takes. I’m very excited for both of them. They are healthy and strong, and both have grown. Both had great track seasons too.

“The future is bright as can be for both. They are just getting started.”

The Comet girls team so far has 20 girls out this season — a relatively low number compared to seasons’ past.

But half the squad consists of seniors, and that doesn’t include junior Lauren Staudt, who was an All-Northeast Iowa Conference placer last season.

“Lauren has been a two-time state qualifier in track and field, and we have seen her confidence and aggressiveness bloom,” said Charles City girls cross country head coach Amanda Rahmiller said. “Last year she dipped below 22 minutes at the end of the season in two races, and I’m certain we haven’t seen her best yet.”

As what has become a tradition for the Charles City cross country program, the Comets first two meets are at home at Wildwood Golf Course — next Thursday (Aug. 23) for the “Early Bird” Invitational before the following Thursday (Aug. 30) for another invitational honoring the memory of three Charles City XC runners — Trent Smith, TJ Houdek and Logan Luft — who all died young due to tragedy.

Assisting both the Rahmillers is Boston Marathon qualifier Jenna Haglund.

* EDITOR’S NOTE: More comprehensive separate previews of both the Charles City boys and girls teams will appear in the Charles City Press Fall Sports Preview on Aug. 26.