Vokes goes the distance

FORT DODGE - An exuberant display of emotions began to burst out from Emerson Vokes just inches away from the finish line until he briefly collapsed from exhaustion. A bright smile never left his face. He shook his head several times, as if in disbelief. 

Emerson Vokes, the junior from Grundy Center, was the Class 2A State cross country champion with a time of 15:37. The first Spartan to win a cross country title. 

“I let God take it,” Vokes said, slightly out of breath. “I ran my hardest. That’s all you can ask. We finished in the end, and that’s all that matters. I came here to win and I thank God for every step of the way.”

Vokes was swarmed with mics, phones in his face almost immediately after getting up. The Spartan junior was still obviously processing his monumental win, beating out runner-up Alex Torres of Vinton-Shellsburg by 18 seconds. 

“Early mornings, eating the right foods, getting the right food, all of those factors into today,” Vokes said. “Time doesn’t reflect what I did, but that doesn’t matter. I came here to win. I’ve been visualizing since the end of State track. I visualized this moment. God did this.”

Vokes was in control early, finishing his first mile in 4:46 and maintaining a significant lead throughout the Class 2A race at the 2024 State Cross Country Championships on Saturday. His pace remained steady for the next two miles. In the final seconds before reaching the last finish line of junior cross country season, he pointed up to the sky and then his energetic celebrations began. 

“Amazing, I’m so excited for Emerson to live out his dreams and accomplish his major goal,” Grundy Center coach Kerri Lynch said. “It’s been on his mind and his drive this whole time. He went out and did it.” 

As a freshman, Vokes got his first taste of State alongside Kaden Lynch in 2022, placings 15th in Class 2A. Vokes returned last season, this time in Class 1A and was the runner-up. Success in track also pushed him to strive for a championship to end his junior season. 

But like the last two seasons, Vokes wasn’t alone on the course. Freshman Jayce Fryslie overcame injury this season and beat out several runners the week prior to earn his spot at State. His first trip to Fort Dodge saw the Spartan freshman place 46th with a time of 17:20. 

“I was very excited to come here,” Fryslie said. “I have never been a part of anything like this before. My goal was to make it to State. It was awesome to be here running with Emerson. I’m happy with how I placed, but even more happy for Emerson. 

Fryslie was officially inducted into as a “Distance Dog”, referring to Grundy Center’s recent success in cross country built up by the likes of Vokes and Kaden Lynch. He will also run in distance events alongside Vokes this upcoming track season. 

“This all was all a bit overwhelming for Jayce, but having Emerson here helped greatly,” Lynch said. “This helps build up his confidence. Now Jayce knows what this is like and has a taste for it. They can both be back here next year.”

Grundy Center junior Grace Storjohann started, but did not finish her third race at the State Cross Country Championships. The three-time qualifier placed fourth at the qualifying meet a week prior to her run at State. She will look to qualify for State a fourth time next season. 

The 2024 cross country came to an end with the Class 2A boys race. Now, recruitment for next season begins as the Spartans look for ways to get both teams back to State in 2025. 

“We need to get guys to believe in themselves as much as Emerson and Jayce believe in themselves,” Lynch said. “This is not an easy sport. Your brain is going to tell you that you can’t do something. You have to get over that. I’m excited to see what both guys can do for track season.”