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PEKIN, IOWA -- The Pekin Junior High School Girls Cross Country team was the toast of the town this week.

The girls won every single cross country meet this year; and it was capped off by placing first in the State Championship meet last weekend in Des Moines. The Lady Panthers were first in both the 7th and 8th Grade races.

Pekin has a strong tradition in track and cross country. Coach Angela Arendt credits the community support and the strong foundation laid by former coach Davis Eidahl; who is in the Iowa Track Coaches Hall of Fame.

"Mr.. Eidahl has built this family and the support that they have. The high school supports the middle school, and the middle school supports the high school."

Assistant Coach Harlan Millikin said another key is having balance.

"We in junior high try to get the kids to experience as much success as we can without taking them too far and hurting them."

The team consisted of 14 seventh and eighth graders. They were honored earlier in the week with a community cookout. Pekin is expected to have another strong squad next year.