Marion boys win at Lindsborg
Staff writers
Marion cross country started the season by winning a boys’ team championship Thursday at Lindsborg.
Because of heat, events began at 9 a.m., but coach Jason Hett said the earlier time didn’t affect the team.
“This group just knows how to compete and that is what they did today,” he said.
Josh Smith placed fifth and Zayden Janzen placed 10th among upperclassmen. Hugh Guetterman was 14th, and Kael Dameron was 16th.
Among underclassmen, Landon Levis placed fifth and Owen Good was 19th.
As a team, Marion beat out bigger schools in class 3A and 4A.
“Very proud of this group, and looking forward to seeing them attack this season,” Hett said.
On the girls’ side, the team placed third overall, with Dylan Krause clocking the second fastest time in school history. Her time of 20 minutes 34.40 seconds was good for second place individually.
“Dylan will continue to learn the 5k and get stronger each week,” Hett said. “She is a competitor and looking forward to seeing what she can do this season.”
Allyson Vogel placed fourth, Jessica Methvin 11th, Brooklyn Beery 17th, and Izy Branson 19th.
“The girls placed third as a team today, which is a great showing and proves this group is going to fight each week as a team to reach their goals,” Hett said.
Marion’s next meet will be 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Wamego.
Goessel
Rosie Gaeddert led Goessel’s cross country team with a 16th place finish Thursday at Abilene.
She was followed by Madelyn Olson in 17th place.
Moriah Guhr, Camilla Manfredi, and Elaina Graber finished 27th, 30th and 36th, respectively.
All of the returning Bluebirds improved their times despite 92-degree weather.
Goessel’s only boy runner, Eli Gaeddert, competed in the JK Gold Invitational on Saturday in Wichita.
He finished third out of 132 runners with a time of 16:37.60.
Goessel will next compete at 9 a.m. Thursday at Hesston Golf Course.
Hillsboro
Riley Richert led the Hillsboro girls’ team Thursday at the Clearwater Invitational, placing fourth with a time of 22:33.55. Adalynn Winter was 24th, and Anna King was 39th.
Joseph Kelley placed 19th to lead the boys’ team. Ethan Rempel placed 27th; Nathan Byford, 37th; Silas Sigley, 44th; and Hudson Sibayan, 93rd.
Coach Brielle Loewen said the meet was a good start to the season.
The Trojans will travel to Wamego for their next meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday
Centre
Centre took one high school runner and five middle school runners to Abilene on Thursday for the Cougars’ first meet of the season.
Freshman Aaron Carlson competed in the first 5k race of his high school career, which coach Caleb Reimer said was an adjustment.
“Aaron Carlson, as a freshman, got his first 5k under his belt and knows what it looks like now,” Reimer said.
Carlson placed 58th.
“The heat was a factor for everyone involved,” Reimer said. “But we all finished and had a good day.”
Centre will snext run Sept. 17 at Herington.