Lewis fourth at state

COURIER SPORTS STAFF

FORT DODGE —

Ottumwa’s Kevin Lewis

will have one more shot at a

state title. He still can’t be

all that disappointed.

The Bulldog junior, who

dominated competition all

year, placed fourth overall

(15:58) at the state cross

country meet in Fort Dodge

on Saturday.

Lewis’ finish was the

highest finish at state for an

Ottumwa runner in 75

years, according to OHS

head coach Jeff Smith.

The high state finish was

Lewis’ only loss of the season.

He had won all nine

races he had competed in

prior to Saturday. Lewis

made a startling jump up

the state leaderboard after a

67th-state finish last year.

“Overall he was pleased

with the year he had. How

could you not be?,” said

Smith.

Lewis led the race from

the mile-and-a-half mark

until the midway point of

the race. Lewis was one

second back of third-place

finisher Andrew Barrett of

Des Moines Roosevelt, a

runner he beat in the regular

season. Barrett passed

Lewis in the last 25 yards.

“He was mainly pleased

on how far he had come and

the improvement he made

throughout the year,” said

Smith.

Lewis wasn’t far off the

lead, as just 10 seconds separated

him from first-place

finisher Marshall Moyer of

Burlington, who led his

Grayhounds to the team

title.

“It’s not like he was way

back in fourth,” said Smith.

“With Kevin, he’s never satisfied

until he’s number

one.”