WAVERLY — South Tama junior Barrett Jesina finished eighth at Wednesday’s Class 3A state-qualifying cross country meet to advance to Fort Dodge for the second year in a row.

Jesina was a member of the Trojans’ first-ever state team qualifier last fall, where he eventually placed 116th as South Tama took 11th in 3A at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course.

Jesina was the only Trojan runner to finish inside the top 50 at Wednesday’s state-qualifying meet held at Wartburg College’s Max Cross Country Course. He clocked in at 16 minutes, 27.38 seconds.

Waverly-Shell Rock senior Austin Soldwisch was the individual medalist with a time of 15:26.93. Mount Vernon-Lisbon was the team champion with 64 points, finishing ahead of fellow state qualifiers Decorah (72) and Clear Creek-Amana (76).

South Tama’s next finisher was Jerome Kapayou, who placed 52nd in 18:29.24, followed by Brady Jesina in 58th (18:35.39). Jovanie Perez (78th, 20:31.54) and Rayden Hill (84th, 21:26.06) rounded out the Trojans’ contingent.

South Tama sent just two girls into the competition as Jayva Gomez placed 62nd (23:32.24) and Jenny Manzo scored 70th (25:20.70) for the Trojans.

Mount Vernon-Lisbon claimed the girls’ crown as well with 47 team points, followed by Decorah (89) and Clear Lake (98). Evelyn Moeller of MVL was the meet medalist in 18:31.03.