Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Paityn Noe of Ballard runs her state-record time on her way to a 3A title at Kennedy Park.

Nothing stopped Paityn Noe from making history this past weekend at the state cross country meet.

With perfect conditions for the late-October meet at Lakeside Golf Course and Kennedy Park, the Ballard senior put on a show for the ages.

Noe captured the Class 3A individual state title in record-setting fashion, becoming the first Iowa girl to break 17 minutes when she crossed the finish line to thunderous applause and appreciation in 16:48.58.

The mark broke the previous state best Noe set just a few weeks prior at the Fort Dodge Invitational, where she went 17:09.8 on the same course.

“That was my goal coming in,” Noe said. “Go out hard and break 17 minutes. When I crossed the line, it was awesome.

“I felt so happy.”

Nobody in the 3A field challenged Noe, as only the lead cart could stay in front of her throughout the race.

Noe currently ranks fourth in the nation with her performance. She first broke the state-record time at the Webster City Invitational earlier this year, eclipsing the mark set by Camille Jackson fo Ames at 17:23.6.

She plans to attend either Iowa State or Arkansas in the fall following a run at more state gold during the track season in the spring.

“I’m excited,” Noe said of college. It’s sad this is my last meet, but it’s not the end; it’s only a small part.”

Noe finished her high school cross country career with two state titles, a second and a third.

That wasn’t the only history-making performance of the state meet, as West Des Moines Dowling’s Jackson Heidesch broke the boys record by winning the 4A race in 14:56.66.

Heidesch, who will run at Duke next year, acknowledge the packed crowd who helped will him to the record.

“Everyone was yelling, ‘you can get it, you can get it,'” he said. “I just put my head down and grinded.”

In winning, Heidesch earned his second state cross country title and led Dowling to a second consecutive team crown. He referred to it as the “triple crown,” winning individual gold, team gold and setting the course record.