Linn's cross country teams completed their season Saturday at the Class 2 District 3 championships, where the Lady Wildcats placed 12th with 317 points and Jackson Hamburg led the boys' individual results.

Kylie Messenger paced the Lady Wildcats in 67th place in 24:37.2, followed by Charli Lenger (76, 24:56.4), Lily Baker (79, 25:01.6), Elyse Brandt (83, 25:39.2), Adalyn Brandt (92, 25:59.4), Allie Hackmann (103, 27:13.4), and Enslee Stevenson (119, 32:59.3).

Hamburg led the Wildcats with a 46th-place finish in 19:17.8, followed by Vince Tschappler (89, 20:48.9), Samuel Heckman (139, 25:27.7), and Emmit Mehmert (140, 25:45.1). Neither team advanced runners to state, but coaches Tasha Haslag and Mekayla Gibson said they were proud of the effort and progress shown throughout the season. “We saw determination, grit, and athletes pushing themselves to finish the season strong,” Haslag said in the team’s submitted report, describing runners who approached districts knowing it might be their final meet of the year.

The coaches emphasized that times and placements represented only part of the season's accomplishments. They watched the athletes build confidence, mental toughness, and the ability to encourage teammates while pursuing individual goals.

“Some of our biggest accomplishments this year cannot be measured by a stopwatch,” Haslag said.

The program’s season-long motto, “1% better every day,” reflected the steady work the runners put into practices and meets, while Messenger and Elyse Brandt provided leadership and an example for their younger teammates.

Haslag and Gibson thanked the runners' families, school, and community for their support through early mornings and long meets, and said the work invested throughout the season would continue to benefit the athletes beyond cross country.