Staff writer
Led by senior Jordan Hett the Marion High School boys’ cross-country team finished second Thursday in Peabody.
Hett battled all race with Drew Hageman of Hesston and Josh Richert of Hillsboro and lead most of the way. Even with a quality kick, Hett finished behind Hageman for second place with a time of 17:20.88.
He has gradually improved his state placements the past three seasons, finishing fourth last season. Head coach Rebecca Hofer said his kick may be the key to an even higher placement. She said it is the aspect of Hett’s running strategy he has worked on the most in the offseason.
The Marion runner who most impressed Hofer with his work during the race was Patrick McCarty. McCarty finished 11th with a time of 18:31.53. He stayed with the front pack of runners for most of the race before it split into three groups. It was a strong finish for McCarty, who is coming back from an injury.
Jacob Cope finished 13th, 19:11.62, and Timothy Knolla placed 16th, 19:16.83. The two Warriors ran together in the middle part of the race to maintain a medal pace.
The four medal winners for Marion earned the Warriors a second-place team finish. A tie with Clearwater was decided by a coin flip and second was awarded to Clearwater.
Clark Kroupa placed 34th with a time of 20:24.63 and Quinton Hett placed 42nd with a time of 21:22.86. Jared Hague placed 46th, 22:16.99.
Marion High School freshman MacKenzee Remmers has set the goal of an individual state berth for her first cross-country season.
En route to that goal she may choose to look back at the resolve she showed on a rain drenched afternoon Thursday in Peabody for motivation. Remmers was the top female runner for the Warriors, placing ninth with a time of 17 minutes, 40.45 seconds.
In her first high school meet, Erin Meierhoff finished 28th with a time of 19:40.22.
Shyla Harris placed 12th, 21:35, in the junior varsity race.