Second-Ranked Ben Anderson Leads Valley Cross Country Team

The season is winding down for the Valley High School boys' cross country team, and that means the true test of the season is here.

Head coach Tom Trygstad has been coaching the Valley boys for nine seasons now, six of those as head coach. He says whatever happens leading up to the final three meets is just preparation.

"Our goal is focusing on the last three meets, conference, districts and state," Trygstad said. "And every cross country coach in the state is going to say the same thing. There's no win-loss record, it's all about getting to the end and doing well those last three meets."

The conference meet is Oct. 13 in Fort Dodge, which is followed by districts one week later, and then the state meet on Oct. 29.

Last year the Tigers performed well at the state meet, finishing fourth. Four of the seven runners from that team are gone, making this season's team a much different one.

"We knew coming in that we'd be a little bit of a rebuilding team," Trygstad said. "But we are continually getting better and I'm excited about where we're at. I think we might surprise some people here in the last month."

Junior Ben Anderson is one of the three runners returning from last year's fourth place team. He finished in ninth place last season as a sophomore and was the best runner on the team. He says this year's team is always trying to be as good as the 2010 team.

"We're good, but we're trying to be as good as last year," said Anderson. "We use last year as an example of how good we want to be."

Anderson is currently ranked second in the state, exceeding expectations he made for himself, his coach said.

"We came into the season with high expectations for Ben," Trygstad said. "We set goals at the beginning of the year and I told him the other day we need to re-evaluate those goals and up the ante. He's had an incredible season."

Placing first at this year's state meet is the ultimate goal for Anderson, who says he sets his goals high intentionally because it pushes him to better his performance.

"I knew this season was going to be pretty good," Anderson said. "I guess I've kind of surprised myself in a few meets. I worked hard this summer to be the best I can. And I set high goals for myself; if you don't set high goals you won't get where you want to be."

The boys will be in action tonight at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge. It's their final regular season meet before conference on Oct. 13.