Sports editor
Marion High School cross country runners Ryan Jones, Louis Holt, Jaclyn DeForest, and Camille Christensen need to make some room on their letter jackets.
By placing in the top-10 Thursday at the Mid-Central Activities Association meet, the four Warriors earned all-league cross country status.
DeForest was the highest-placing Warrior at the meet, taking fifth place in the 4k with a time of 17 minutes, 47 seconds.
Christensen, running in just her third meet of the season, was one second and one place behind her teammate.
On the boys’ side, Jones ran the 5k in sixth-place time of 18:11, Holt was 11th with a time of 18:33.
MHS head coach Bethany Carlson was pleased with the individual accomplishments, but was encouraged that in the most important time of the season, the team is finally starting to get healthy.
All but one runner was able to compete for the girls’ and boys’ teams as they took fifth and sixth place, respectively.
“We are still hoping to be more competitive at the regional meet (Saturday) at Southeast of Saline,” Carlson said. “We haven’t seen everyone running at their best all on the same day.”
What Carlson did see is Amanda Richmond run her third straight race after missing three events earlier in the season, taking 27th place.
Taylor Harms and Bridget Lundy each competed as well, as did Danae Edwards who has been injured most of the season.
Edwards set a personal record with a time of 19:58, nearly two minutes better than her previous best.
“It was great to see Danae finally run after not being able to run all season,” Carlson said.
The boys’ team had three other runners in the top-50 with Michael Kirkpatrick taking 25th, Andy Shipman 38th, and Brandon Meierhoff 48th.
Philip Gu (58th) and Max Wagner (63) rounded out the boys’ team.
Impressive junior varsity Warrior runners were Jessie Taylor who took first place with a time of 20:00, and Galen Funk who set a personal record after running the race in 24:40.
The next competition for the Warriors will be Saturday at Gypsum when they race at the SE of Saline regional.
Race results:
boys’ mcaa meet standings
1. Hillsboro 58. 2. Sterling 73. 3. Smoky Valley 107. 4. Lyons 115. 5. Hesston 119. 6. Marion 124. 7. Halstead 158. 8. Haven 182. 9. Wichita Collegiate 222.
boys’ varsity 5k
Ryan Jones – 18:11, sixth.*
Louis Holt – 18:33, 11th.*
Michael Kirkpatrick – 19:22@, 25th.
Andy Shipman – 20:12, 38th.
Brandon Meierhoff – 20:52, 48th.
Philip Gu – 21:38@, 58th.
Max Wagner – 22:12@, 63rd.
boys’ junior varsity 5k
Derek Stuchlik – 22:21.
Galen Funk – 24:40@
Adam Molleker – 24:58.
@Denotes personal record
*Denotes medal
Girls’ mcaa meet standings
1. Smoky Valley 62. 2. Hesston 71. 3. Haven 81. 4. Ellinwood 92. 5. Marion 98. 6. Hillsboro 120. 7. Halstead 149.
girls’ varsity 4k
Jaclyn DeForest – 17:47, fifth.*
Camille Christensen – 17:48, sixth.*
Amanda Richmond – 19:25, 27th.
Danae Edwards – 19:58, 38th.
Taylor Harms – 19:59, 39th.
Bridget Lundy – 20:33, 42nd.
*Denotes medal
girls’ junior varsity 4k
Jessie Taylor – 20:00, first.