Leihy finishes top 20,
Kliewer returns,
Hinerman earns
first varsity medal

By OLIVER GOOD

Staff writer

Hillsboro cross country runners showed continued improvement and competitive intensity at two away meets this week.

Improving her time from last year, senior Emily Sechrist claimed first for the third year in a row at Southeast of Saline on Sept. 23 with a time of 15 minutes and 31 seconds.

On Saturday, she came in third with a time of 15:57 at the Rim Rock Farm Classic near Lawrence.

“Now that we know we are 3A this year, running at Rim Rock, where the state 3A meet will be, is especially beneficial,” coach Stuart Holmes said. “Being more familiar with the course and its steep hills will hopefully help a month from now at state.”

Holmes said Rim Rock was also an especially nice course because she ran against new competition.

Senior Karyn Leihy also showed an extra amount of determination at Southeast of Saline, he said.

“She ran in the top 10 for at least the first two miles before fading into 18th,” he said. “That kind of grit along with a couple weeks of quality training will give her a good chance to reach many of her goals.”

Leihy took 54th out of 86 at Rim Rock with a time of 18:21.

Sophomores Jonathan Hinerman and Tristan Donaldson both achieved personal records at Southeast of Saline. Hinerman won his first varsity medal, finishing in 22nd place with a time of 18:49, and Donaldson placed 24th in a junior varsity run with a time of 22:06.

Returning to competition for the first time this year after sustaining a nagging injury, junior Lydia Kliewer also ran well enough to come in one place from a medal at Southeast of Saline. She placed 11th with a time of 21:00.

At Rim Rock, Hinerman ran the course in 20:25 and placed 215th out of 217 runners.

“Karyn, Emily and Jonathan all had excellent efforts in heat on such a tough course,” Holmes said. “We weren’t so concerned with the times but saw it more as an opportunity to compete on a tough course and run a tough workout.”

Hillsboro travels to Berean Academy to run Thursday at Harvey County East Park.