Burlington's Jolin has breakthrough race at Southeast Conference cross country meet

FAIRFIELD -- Joey Jolin has run the gamut of emotions this cross country season.

The Burlington High School junior has dealt with myriad of issues, including back pains and lung problems which have left him frustrated after most meets.

All of which made Jolin's performance Thursday at the Southeast Conference meet all the more impressive.

Jolin ran his best race of the season, finishing fourth in 17 minutes, 42.98 seconds at a chilly, wind-swept Waterworks Park course.

And afterward, Jolin was so happy he was nearly moved to tears as he hugged his mother, Crystal Jolin and grandfather, Clair, who couldn't wipe the smiles of pride off their faces.

With the state qualifying meets coming up on Wednesday, it was just the kind of confidence boost Jolin and the rest of the Grayhounds need.

"This was by far my best race of the year. I've been struggling with soreness in my legs and I've tried multiple things. Today I was feeling sore, not terrible, but I tried to push through and ended up getting fourth place. I'm so happy," Jolin said. "You have to stop thinking about what you've done in the past and really just look ahead to the next race. The last two weeks all I have been thinking about is this is the most important meet of the year, as far as I am concerned. You just have to push through. I feel like I did that today. I'm just so happy."

Washington won the team race with 43 points, edging Fort Madison by three points. Burlington was third with 85 points.

BHS senior Sam Morehead didn't have the race he was hoping for, but still finished third in 17:38.95, just ahead of the hard-charging Jolin.

"It wasn't my best race. For whatever reason I didn't have it today," Morehead said. "It was still a good run. It was amazing weather and a beautiful course. Most importantly Joey had a huge breakout run."

Jolin said he was inspired by listening to Morehead's testimonial Thursday night at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Fields of Faith meeting at Clark Field House.

"Sam is the best leader that I have ever seen on a team. It's incredible how he leads us guys. He's an incredible leader and he's inspired me a ton ever since we ran when I was in seventh grade and he was in eighth grade," Jolin said.

"I was telling him he just has to run fast and give it his all," Morehead said. "I told him he might be able to get in the top four or five. I don't know if I totally believed it when I said it to him, but he obviously did and he killed it."

Fort Madison set a goal of knocking off Class 3A's 17th-ranked Washington at some point this season. The Bloodhounds have been closing the gap all season and nearly caught the Demons this time.

With three runners -- Riley Tripp, Jacob Shottenkirk and Mason McLey -- finishing in the top 10 to earn all-conference accolades, and three others -- Nolan Guzman. John Cottrell and Peyton Lambert -- finishing in the top 16, the Bloodhounds came within three points of Washington.

They will get one more shot Wednesday at Washington.

"This is going to be a huge confidence booster," Tripp said. "Our main competition is Washington. Our goal all year is to beat them. We're trying to do that. I was a little farther behind at the start, but over time I was able to catch up to (the Washington runners)."

Mount Pleasant senior Ben Carthey is closing the gap on Washington's Micah Rees. he finished second in 17:04.46, 14 seconds behind Class 3A's sixth-ranked Rees.

Now, if Carthey can just get his wardrobe correct.

"I think I need to get more rest than I usually do. I was a little tired going into this meet. I need to get my spikes on the right way and I need to wear the right socks. They're a little too thick. I need to go a little thinner so I'll be more comfortable," Carthey said. "If I didn't have Micah there I wouldn't have anyone in front of me and I wouldn't have any way to get faster. Whoever is in front of you you always have that goal in the back of your mind to get in front of them. Even if it's like a second or so."

TEAM SCORES

1. Washington, 43; 2. Fort Madison, 46; 3. Burlington, 85; 4. Mount Pleasant, 88; 5. Fairfield, 114; 6. Keokuk, 281.

TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS

1. Micah Rees (W), 16:40.06; 2. Ben Carthey (MP), 17:04.46; 3. Sam Morehead (BHS), 17:38.95; 4. Joey Jolin (BHS), 17:42.98; 5. Riley Tripp (FM), 17:50.00; 6. Jacob Shottenkirk (FM), 17:50.58; 7. Tyler Alderton (W), 17:51.18; 8. Jude Dykstra (MP), 17:51.70; 9. Lane Schrock (W), 17:52.34; 10. Mason McLey (FM), 17:59.94.

AREA TEAMS

BURLINGTON -- 3. Morehead; 4. Jolin; 22. Braxton Hutchinson, 18:59.55; 23. Aaron Morehead, 19:00.52; 33. William Klatt, 19:35.43; 35. Ryan Schoenewe, 19:42.93; 46. Chandler Carper, 20:43.49; 49. Hunter Hansen, 20:53.07; 61. Blaze Dochterman, 22:19.27; 66. Adam Johnson, 23:24.04; 67. Adrian Salas, 23:25.64; 68. Moise Cordero, 23:42.93; 71. Antwon Britton, 24:39.57; 73. Zach Grieves, 24:56.21.

FORT MADISON -- 5. Tripp; 6. Shottenkirk; 10. McLey; 12. Nolan Guzman, 18:07.58; 13. John Cottrell, 18:07.59; 16. Peyton Lambert, 18:26.27; 26. Castille Johnstun, 19:04.96; 30. Cameron Shutwell, 19:15.66; 40. Jackson Haessig, 20:07.66; 52. Benjamin Thele, 21:03.92; 56. Jake Haessig, 21:40.44; 58. Calvin Johnson, 21:49.79; 72. Logan Pomberg, 24:45.77.

KEOKUK -- 36. William Potratz, 19:49.61; 43. Elijah Gibbs, 20:16.31; 63. Reece Manges, 22:49.28; 69. Jacob Finch, 23:53.95; 70. Eli Sniff, 23:58.01.

MOUNT PLEASANT -- 2. Carthey; 8. Dykstra; 24. Tyler Johnson, 19:00.90; 25. Jonathan Hough, 19:02.40; 29. Coleman Mowery, 19:12.71; 31. Isaac Rynders, 19:29.71; 34. Gabe Feldmann, 19:38.32; 39. Christian Bracht-Wagner, 20:00.93; 41. Ben Meador, 20:08.84; 43. Gavin Slagel, 20:15.62; 47. Ethan Brush, 20:47.06; 50. Jakin Bunnell, 20:55.54; 53. Locken Henderson, 21:06.08; 54. Garrett Landau, 21:08.83; 62. Dathan Endecott, 22:19.81.

Matt Levins is a sports reporter for the USA Today Network in Burlington, Iowa, who has covered local sports for 32 years at The Hawk Eye. Reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Hawk Eye: Burlington's Jolin has breakout race at Southeast Conference meet