Landstrum and Brokaw’s back-to-back finishes mark fitting ends to storied careers

Kendal Landstrum and Brooklyn Stutzman have trained together for years, pushing each other to new heights day after day. At Friday’s state cross country meet in Fort Dodge, the duo finished back-to-back in 5th and 6th as they led Mid-Prairie to its 7th state title of the past decade.

Last year, Landstrum was unable to run at the state meet due to an injury. Back for one final run this year, she took nothing for granted, starting in the top ten and never leaving, holding a firm pace to lead the Golden Hawks through the one-lap state course.

“I think I went out too hard, but I just held on,” Landstrum said. “Every time I hurt, I was just thinking about these girls and how hard they’ve worked, and that helped me just stay where I was.”

Stutzman started slower, crossing the one-mile mark in 25th place, but she never let Landstrum leave her sight as she weaved her way through the pack. By the time she reached the 2-mile mark, she was in eighth place, giving the Golden Hawks a narrow lead in the team standings. By the time she reached the finish line, there was barely an ounce of daylight between her and Landstrum, as she finished right behind one of her closest friends both on and off the course.

“I think she was close the whole race, but I thought she was in like 10th or 15th,” Stutzman said of the moment she caught up to Landstrum. “Then I saw the golf cart in front of her, and I realized, oh shoot, we’re really up there. I just have so much gratitude for how far she’s come and getting to run with her again this year.”

The senior duo got to Mid-Prairie High School at the peak of the program’s dynasty, as the Golden Hawk girls three-peated as state champs during Stutzman and Lanstrum’s time as middle schoolers. They were both part of the 2024 title team. They came into a program at the peak of its powers. Now they leave as two-time champs.

“It’s an honor to run with these girls every day, and I’m so excited and happy that this is how we’re going to close this book,” Landstrum said.

With track five months away, all that was left for the group to do Friday night was celebrate, and they knew how they’d do that as soon as they were asked.

“We’re going to Hickory Park!”