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COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa – While Columbus’ Sam Chaney was winning the individual district title Monday, Wilton collaborated for a team championship to earn its fourth consecutive state berth.

The Beavers had two top-10 finishers and four of their top five were among the top 20 as they punched their ticket to Fort Dodge in the Class 2A district cross country meet at Cedarcrest Country Club.

Chaney, who had been wearing a boot for a week after straining his foot while training, still out-classed the field to win the meet in 16 minutes, 16 seconds.

“My foot was hurting,” Chaney said. “The last half-mile was better, but it was hard to push when it was stiff. I felt good the first mile, but it is a tough course anyways. Towards the beginning I noticed the wind, but it died down later on.”

The undefeated Wildcat runner said he strained tendons in his foot while running on fresh gravel 10 days ago.

“It’s been sore since Sunday,” Chaney said. “I stretched it out on gravel. Give it six days, it will be fine.”

Columbus coach Mike Jay said, “He (Chaney) got bored running his usual route. He was pain-free when he started and a little pain after. He’s got a strong will.

“We’re icing it down and soaking it in Epsom salt. We’ll see what happens.”

Kyle Paulsen, Wilton’s top finisher, appeared gassed as he approached the finish line. Still, Paulsen finished seven seconds ahead of Beaver teammate Tyler Hartley for seventh overall. Hartley placed eighth.

“I didn’t have anything left,” Paulsen said. “It’s a tough course. I was trying to (finish stronger), but I didn’t have enough kick left.

“I thought I ran as hard as I could, but I didn’t have any kick left. I gave it all I got.”

Wilton scored 75 points to finish ahead of Mid-Prairie (88) and Iowa City Regina (98).

It wasn’t until about the two-mile mark when Chaney shook Camanche’s Codie Adams, who completed the race in second.

“It wasn’t until the back lap that I started breaking away,” said Chaney, who finished 11 seconds ahead of Adams. “The first mile, I took it slow, relaxed; I thought I could outlast him. I figured I’d take my time.”

Chaney hadn’t raced Adams this season, but said he knew he’d be up there with him.

“I’ve ran this course a minute faster before,” Chaney said. “I think they lengthened the course a little. I’m not a big fan of the district meet; it puts too much pressure on one meet.”

Hartley, who Wilton coach Cory Garvin said has been his team’s second or third runner most of the season, said he put a lot of effort into the district.

“I guess I pulled it out of nowhere,” Hartley said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I’m proud of the (Wilton) boys’ team. It was amazing.

“We went in here thinking it was a possibility (to win). Everyday in practice, we talked about it. That’s probably the hardest I’ve seen the team finish.”

Garvin said, “I wasn’t really surprised about Tyler. He’s been running hard all year. He runs every practice with Kyle, and it’s hard for him to take an easy day.”

Deane Wichelt, Durant-Bennett’s lone state qualifier, was glad the meet was delayed from last week. Wichelt finished ninth.

“I’m happy because I was sick all last week,” Wichelt said. “I didn’t go to school on Wednesday and I only came to school Thursday because of the meet, but I got called in and said I could go home because the meet was postponed. So I’m extremely happy.

“I finished hard. I think I was sitting at 11th or 10th close to the end. I had friends and my parents yelling out places, and I knew I had to pick it up at the end.”

Columbus had the only other area individual qualifier in Jake Keller, who placed fifth.

“I’ve said this before,” Jay said, “every coach should have the opportunity to coach Jake Keller. He’s easy to coach, listens to what you say and doesn’t say anything. I think he can be a top 15-20 finisher (at state). Tonight was his best meet of the year. He’s a dandy.”

As for Chaney, he won’t be spending much of the week training for state because of the boot.

“My coach says I’m in as good a shape as he’s seen anyone,” Chaney said. “I’m going to rest. I’m confident in my training.”

Class 2A District Meet

Boys Team Scoring

1. Wilton 75; 2. Mid-Prairie 88; 3. Iowa City Regina 98; 4. Columbus 108; 5. Durant-Bennett 122; 6. Camanche 148; 7. Eddyville-Blakesburg 163; 8. Danville-New London 232; 9. West Liberty 233; 10. Pekin 235; 11. Davis County 266; 12. Mediapolis 272; 13. Louisa-Muscatine 391.

Top 10 (qualifiers) – 1. Sam Chaney (Columbus) 16:16; 2. Codie Adams (Camanche) 16:27; 3. Zach Baker (Eddyville-Blakesburg) 16:30; 4. Jacob Griffin (Danville-New London) 16:43; 5. Jake Keller (Columbus) 16:44; 6. Christopher Welch (Eddyville-Blakesburg) 16:53; 7. Kyle Paulsen (Wilton) 16:58; 8. Tyler Hartley (Wilton) 17:05; 9. Deane Wichelt (Durant) 17:08; 10. Daniel Bonthus (Regina) 17:12.

Wilton (75) – 7. Kyle Paulsen 16:58; 8. Tyler Hartley 17:05; 15. Paul Searcy 17:34; 16. Kurt Paulsen 17:35; 29. Grant Wakefield 18:13; 30. Jered Williams 18:17; 34. Nathan Wolf 18:23.

Columbus (108) – 1. Sam Chaney 16:16; 5. Jake Keller 16:44; 25. Ray Quiroz 18:05; 28. Ruben Jasso 18:12; 49. Seth Noble 19:31; 53. Logan Heck 19:45; 75. Mitch Roush 21:38.

Durant (122) – 9. Deane Wichelt 17:08; 13. Ben Fredericks 17:24; 26. John Hughes 18:10; 35. Alex Wright 18:24; 39. Chase Exline 18:35; 57. Nick Roesger 19:50; 69. Matt Gruemmer 20:34.

West Liberty (233) – 20. Dylan Hillyer 17:45; 41. Thomas Allen 18:42; 48. Eric Brown 19:17; 59. Brandon Zapien 19:59; 67. Nick Arensdorf 20:24.

Louisa-Muscatine (391) – 74. Scott Dean 21:08; 78. Alex Nowak 22:34; 78. Kevin Howell 22:49; 81. Chase Anderson 23:56; 82. Justin VanEst 23:57; 83. Ben McCleary 24:01; 84. Dallas Gilleland 24:03.