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WEBSTER CITY - Only three times in the storied history of the Webster City cross country program have both the girls' and boys' teams qualified for the state meet in the same year. The Lynx will get the chance to bump that number up to four later this week.

The in-demand tickets to the state meet will be up for grabs all across the state Thursday afternoon when regional/district races are held in all four classes. Webster City will take part in a Class 3A meet at the Spencer Municipal Golf Course in Spencer at 4 p.m.

The Lynx teams were shut out of the state meet a season ago for the first time since 1995 and head coach Tony Bussan's normally upbeat demeanor might turn a little grumpy if that happens again. But he knows it won't be easy for either of his squads.

"There's solid competition, but it's a great opportunity for our kids," Bussan said of the postseason competition where the top three teams and top 10 individuals in both races will advance on to Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge for the state met on Saturday, Oct. 31.

With the same seven runners in the lineup the entire season, the 10th-ranked Lynx girls will once again rely on their pack running as they attempt to get back to center stage for the first time since 2006. Toeing the starting line will be Breanne Wagner, Mikaela Pruismann, Sarah Perin, Erin Hunt, Alicia Long, Brenna Paukert and Morgan Moline.

Bussan says third-ranked Sioux City Heelan is the odds on favorite to capture the regional title, but Webster City is the only other ranked team in the field of 13.

"Heelan's the favorite, but we're certainly going to go after a (regional) title," Bussan said. "We're going to have to push our pack forward though."

The Lynx have one of the strongest packs in all of 3A. What they lack however is a standout star that can push to the front of the field, and that puts the onus on everyone to perform at a high level. Webster City's scoring five was strong at the North Central Conference meet last week, but with no one in the top 10 individually, it left the squad in third overall.

"It's a race where we've first and foremost got to run our race," Bussan said. "My biggest concern is that someone could do to us what St. Edmond did to us at conference and that's front load girls."

Wagner has been the team guide all season with Paukert, a freshman, pushing her along. Last week it was Pruismann - a senior and former individual state qualifier - who took charge at the NCC meet.

Other teams in contention will be Estherville-Lincoln Central/Armstrong-Ringsted, Garner-Hayfield/West Hancock, Denison-Schleswig and Algona - all teams that Webster City has beaten this season.

Junior Alex Lamp will serve as the leader for the 15th-ranked Webster City boys' team as it goes in search of its 15th overall state-meet trip. Defending state champion Algona is the overwhelming favorite, but after that Bussan says there's a good chance a surprise team will creep into the mix.

"LeMars is very good and they're a sleeper that nobody in this area knows about," he said. "I would expect them to be a very solid No. 2 seed."

No. 9-ranked Garner-Hayfield/West Hancock, along with Spencer, Denison-Schleswig and Sioux City Heelan will join the Lynx in that fight for one of the three coveted spots.

"This will be a highly competitive boys' race," Bussan said. "It's one that we probably won't know which three teams qualified until they announce which team finished fourth."

Lamp has been solid all season, finishing among the top six in every race. He's one of five individuals that is ranked in the top 25.

"(Getting into the top 10) isn't a given for Alex," Bussan said. "He has to run the way he's capable because this is a very solid district meet."

Getting into the top three will hinge on a number of factors. For starters, Bussan says Lamp and senior Matt Severe will have to perform the way they have all year, and then the trio of Jacob Clabaugh, Mason Hedeen and Austin Elm must stick close to one another to give the team a chance.

"Alex and Matt will be Alex and Matt because they've been solid for us this year," Bussan said. "Then we've got to have Jacob, Mason and Austin run together and they have to be pushing forward."

Ethan Glenn and Andrew Laird will also compete for Webster City.