Cross country boys are champions, girls fifth at Niobrara

NIOBRARA — The temperature was in the mid-70’s this week for the cross country invitational at the Niobrara State Park. The Tigers took advantage of the cooler weather and ran some very nice times on their way to the team title.

Wausa-Bloomfield’s Addison Smith won the race in 16:27; two Stanton runners finished in second and third place, followed by Johnson Chishiba, fourth in his fastest time for this course of 17:23. Graysen Schultze cruised in at fifth place in 17:48.

Karter Johnson recorded his fastest time of 18:30 placing 12th and Kaden Polt and Robert Aschoff also had personal record times. Kaden finished in 18th place in a time of 19:32, and Robert 19th in 19:40. All five Osmond runners earned medals.

The Tiger girls also ran well as Riley Wagner placed eighth in her fastest time ever of 23:32. Lexi Beacom crossed the line in 16th place in one of her fastest times of 25:33 as did Jozie Kumm, placing 19th in 26:30. Hayle Krienert finished in 22nd place, just missing out on a medal in a time of 28:34.

The boys junior varsity won their division, placing five runners in the top seven. Bodie True won the gold medal in a time of 20:17. Hunter Beacom won the silver in 21:01 and Hudson Schultze the bronze at 21:04. James Doyle was fourth in 21:34 and Connor von Rentzell missed a medal by one spot placing sixth in a time of 24:49.

Keli Aschoff placed fifth in the junior high girls division. She covered the 1,600-meter course in 6:16. Andrew Bucklew earned the eighth-place medal in 6:01, and Noah Geneski collected the 10th place medal in 6:05. Cody Gansebom placed 17th in a time of 6:55.

“We showed nice improvement over the week as the times came down,” Coach Joe Ortmeier noted. “The temperatures helped, but this is a much more challenging course with more hills.”

Team Scores

Boys

1st — 15 Osmond

2nd — 20 Bloomfield/Wausa

3rd — 27 Plainview

4th — 30 Neligh-Oakdale

5th — 56 Winside

6th — 61 CWC

7th — 74 Crofton

8th — 83 Creighton

9th — 86 Randolph

Girls