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FORT DODGE, Iowa – Whether Wilton was feeling slighted by the rankings or not, the Beaver boys cross country team still ran all the way to the porch on Saturday afternoon.

Led by senior Kyle Paulsen, coach Cory Garvin’s squad finished third at the state meet, gaining recognition on what is called “the porch” at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course. The Beavers finished behind Spirit Lake (60) and South Winneshiek (77) with 102 points in Class 2A.

Paulsen, 12th overall, had an individual goal of reaching the top 10, but finished right behind Columbus’ Jake Keller.

“There was about 600 meters left and people were calling out the color of the guy who was leading,” Paulsen said. “He was quite a ways in front of me – I came up short. I didn’t quite get there. That was my goal, but, oh well.

“I was going more for placing than time. I gave it all I got. It was my last race and I left it all out there.”

Garvin said his team, ranked fifth, felt like it wasn’t given much credit at the end of the season.

“I knew we were a better team than what the state had us ranked,” Garvin said. “I didn’t know how much against other teams; the boys were on a mission to prove they were wrong. Spirit Lake and South Winneshiek, we knew would be tough, but I’m proud of them. They gave everything they had, I think.”

Keller, too, wanted better for himself after his teammate Sam Chaney was unable to race because of a broken toe. Chaney was seen on crutches before the race.

“I wish I’d have gotten one more,” Keller said. “I felt better when I saw the finish line; I thought I would get it (10th).

“I tried to medal to take the pain a little away from him (Chaney). It meant a lot that he came to cheer me on. He’s been there every day, and it wouldn’t have been the same without him.”

The area’s top finisher was Wapello’s Chase Moser in Class 1A. Moser finished fifth in 16 minutes, 48 seconds – 22 seconds behind champion Bill Spencer of Iowa Mennonite.

“I started out slower and farther back,” Moser said, “but I made up some time. I was running third after a mile and a half, but the last couple of meters, about 400 or so, not even, I got out-kicked by a few. My goal was top three. It could have been, but it happens.”

His brother, Bennett, said he was feeling ill and fell back from him almost right away. He ended up 38th as Wapello finished 12th in the 15-team race. The Indians scored 261 team points, well behind team champion IMS with 71.

“I was just not feeling good,” Bennett Moser said. “I had a headache and had trouble breathing. I didn’t even stick with him (Chase) at the start. I wasn’t feeling it.”

Chase and Bennett’s older brother, Lane, finished second at the Iowa Conference men’s cross country meet, also on Saturday. Chase said he talked to him before his race.

“He said that I’d have to get second or better to be the best in the family today,” Chase said. “I guess I’m second-best today.”

Being third best didn’t sit well with Paulsen and the Beavers.

“I thought we’d be first or second,” Paulsen said. “I thought we ran well; we were ready to go.”

Two top-20 overall finishes for Wilton helped out the Beavers’ cause. Tyler Hartley crossed the finish line 21st and Paul Searcy was close behind in 28th.

“It was really windy and there was mud everywhere,” Hartley said, “but to see everyone running it with you is kind of fun.”

Searcy, a senior, said he went as hard as he could.

“I kicked,” Searcy said. “I usually don’t have one, but I kicked. We wanted to get on the deck, which is top three, and I did all right. This was my last race in cross country.”

2009 Boys State Cross Country

Class 2A Team Results

1. Spirit Lake 60; 2. South Winneshiek 77; 3. Wilton 102; 4. OA-BCIG 136; 5. Monticello 177; 6. Pella Christian 195; 7. Iowa City Regina 205; 8. Mid-Prairie 210; 9. East Marshall 213; 10. Unity Christian 218; 11. Hudson 222; 12. Osage 225; 13. Solon 303; 14. Albia 347; 15. Roland-Story 426.

Top 10 medalists – 1. Garret Ehlers (OA-BCIG) 16:08; 2. Alec Baldwin (Spirit Lake) 16:22; 3. Tim Bierma (Western Christian) 16:25; 4. Brett Losen (South Winneshiek) 16:30; 5. Zach Baker (Eddyville-Blakesburg) 16:31; 6. Zach Thompson (Eagle Grove) 16:36; 7. Logan Hovland (North Iowa) 16:39; 8. Chris Postma (Unity Christian) 16:43; 9. Jud Schneider (Monticello) 16:46; 10. Will Norris (Spirit Lake) 16:49.

Wilton (102) – 7. Kyle Paulsen 16:57; 12. Tyler Hartley 17:10; 16. Paul Searcy 17:23; 32. Kurt Paulsen 17:52; 35. Grant Wakefield 17:52; 71. Nathan Wolf 18:36; 78. Jered Williams 18:49. (Note: finishes are team places, not overall finish).

Columbus (no team score) – 11. Jake Keller 16:55.

Durant-Bennett (no team score) – 53. Deane Wichelt 17:52.

Class 1A Team Results

1. IMS 71; 2. BCLUW 98; 3. Tipton 111; 4. Woodbine 146; 5. Council Bluffs St. Albert 157; 6. Central Elkader 185; 7. Fort Dodge St. Edmond 195; 8. South O’Brien 214; 9. Logan-Magnolia 236; 10. Laurens-Marathon 236; 11. Nashua-Plainfield 253; 12. Wapello 261; 13. South Hamilton 306; 14. Grundy Center 310; 15. Lone Tree 310.

Top 10 medalists – 1. Bill Spencer (IMS) 16:26; 2. Dane McDonald (BCLUW) 16:43; 3. Parker Drake (AGWSR) 16:53; 4. Taylor Huseman (Manson-NW Webster) 16:45; 5. Chase Moser (Wapello) 16:48; 6. Truman Shetler (IMS) 16:51; 7. Jay Welp (MMC) 16:52; 8. Glen Morgan (Winfeld-Mt. Union) 16:53; 9. Ethan Rogers (Tipton) 16:53; 10. Levi Storjohann (BCLUW) 17:03.

Wapello (261) – 3. Chase Moser 16:48; 18. Bennett Moser 17:46; 68. Ben Polley 19:14; 81. Ethan Wykert 19:36; 91. Josh Lanz 20:04; 92. Grant Schaeffer 20:18; 104. Andrew Bates 23:43.