Sports : Vikings, Vikettes qualify for State XC Meet; Dinderman first with personal best

VS fans wave to the runners on the bus as they return to Vinton.

The 2014 Vikette CC team.

The 2014 VS boys and girls teams.

The girls team members perform their team cheer.

VS fans applaud Coach Frazier and the runners in Vinton after they earned a spot at State

Students await the runners at the Cedar River bridge.

Derek Dinderman went into Thursday's Regional cross country meet hoping to finish in 16 minutes and 30 seconds, which would have been a personal best, says his mother, Dana.

Derek did even better than he hoped, leading the Vikings to a State-qualifying 3rd place by winning the boys event with a time of 16:23. That's 27 seconds faster than his previous best.

Lily Horst was fourth for the girls team, which also earned a spot in the State Meet with a third place finish.

Fans and family members welcomed the runners home Thursday night, with a short, impromptu parade, escorted by a fire truck and squad cars.

See more photos HERE.