The Madrid girls’ cross country team put together a successful season in 2026, highlighted by senior Madelyn Grothus claiming the Class 1A individual state championship and leading the Tigers to a second-place finish in the team standings at the Iowa State Cross Country Championships.
Madrid established itself as one of the state’s top Class 1A programs throughout the fall.
The Tigers’ annual home invitational in early September was canceled because of extreme heat, but the team continued to build toward a strong postseason run.
Madrid earned a team title at the Class 1A state qualifying meet in October and added another championship at the Ogden Invitational in late September.
The Tigers also placed second at the West Central Activities Conference meet in October and finished runner-up at the Mike Carr Invitational in Huxley, hosted by Ballard, in September.
Several runners saved their best performances for the biggest stage.
A majority of Madrid’s athletes recorded season-best times at the state meet as the Tigers peaked at the right time.
Grothus closed her outstanding high school career in dominant fashion, crossing the finish line in a season-best 18 minutes, 17.6 seconds to capture the Class 1A individual title.
Senior Hannah Brandhorst posted a season-best 19:35.40 at the West Central Activities Conference meet held at Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center.
Sophomore Charis Peasley recorded a personal-best 21:04.8 at the state meet, while eighth-grader Jordyn Adams turned in a personal-best 21:52.7 at state.
Freshman Claire McCarty ran her top time of 22:11.80 at the conference meet at AC/GC, and senior Adelyn White finished the season with a personal-best 22:15.6 at the state meet.
Sophomore Makayla Mullenbach also achieved her season best at state, clocking 23:12.4.
Sophomore Alaina Dvorak recorded a season-best 23:38.94 at the Jim Klein Invitational in Jewell, hosted by South Hamilton, while senior Ari Mundy ran a season-best 24:34.80 at the AC/GC Invitational.
With a veteran core led by Grothus and four seniors providing leadership throughout the season, Madrid consistently competed among the state’s elite teams.
The Tigers culminated their season in a state runner-up finish and an individual state title that made the 2026 season one to remember.
Jill Lutz reporting
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