Improving Warriors take second, third at Council Grove
Sports reporter
With each passing week Marion High School boys' and girls' cross country teams continue to improve, much to the liking of head coach Bethany Carlson.
"[It's] very exciting," she said. "It's fun to see the smiles on their faces when they hear their time."
That's because many of the runners, such as the case with the boys' team Thursday at Council Grove, keep improving their times.
Only one runner on the boys' team did not improve his time, and some cut 30 seconds or more from their previous bests.
As a team the boys were second, 14 points ahead of third place Northern Heights.
Sophomore Ryan Jones continued to lead the pack with a second-place, 5K-time of 18 minutes, 12 seconds.
It was 28 seconds better than his previous personal record, and just three seconds behind the champion.
"He ran another great race," Carlson said.
Louis Holt earned a medal with a seventh-place finish, as did Elliot Hett in 11th, and Isaac Hett at 15th, who both set personal records.
Corey Seacat (20:32), Brandon Meierhoff (20:34), and Michael Kirkpatrick (22:22) also all beat their previous best times.
Brady Hudson and Marshall Ragland, who were both sick, did not compete.
The girls' team ran well with a third-place finish behind Olpe and Bennington.
The team earned four medals as well, with Camille Christensen coming in sixth with a 4K time of 18:36.
Carlson said she was 10th most of the way, before blowing past three girls toward the end of the race.
Amanda Richmond and Tacy Taylor finished back-to-back at 16th and 17th.
Jaclyn DeForest was the final medalist, taking 20th place with a time of 19:49.
While the girls did not set any personal records, Carlson said the course seems to run a little long, as most teams report higher times than usual.
Still, the girls continued to be toward the top of the pack.
The final runners for the girls' squad were Brooke Johnson (33rd), Bridget Lundy (37th), and Lucy Collett (48th).
The Warriors' final regular season race is at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Chapman, before preparing for the Mid-Central Activities Association league meet Oct. 11.
Results:
boys' team (66 runners)
1. Osage City 34. 2. Marion 60. 3. Northern Heights 74. 4. Olpe 85. 5. Herington 147. 6. Bennington 152.
Ryan Jones - 18:12, second.*#
Louis Holt - 18:52, seventh.*
Elliot Hett - 19:05, 11th.*#
Isaac Hett - 19:21, 15th.*#
Corey Seacat - 20:32, 33rd.*#
Brandon Meierhoff - 20:34, 35th.*#
Michael Kirkpatrick - 22:22, 49th.*#
junior varsity
Adam Molleker - 25:16, 18th.
Derek Stuchlik - 25:21, 20th.
Olle Gemfors - 27:32, 23rd.
girls' team (60 runners)
1. Olpe 35. 2. Bennington 49. 3. Marion 70. 4. Osage City 96. 5. Mission Valley 133. 6. Riley County 135.
Camille Christensen - 18:36, sixth.*
Amanda Richmond - 19:30, 16th.*
Tacy Taylor - 19:36, 17th.*
Jaclyn DeForest - 19:49, 20th.*
Brooke Johnson - 20:55, 33rd.
Bridget Lundy - 21:09, 37th.
Lucy Collett - 22:20, 48th.
junior varsity
Danae Edwards - 23:20, 14th.
Shayla Rahe - 27:32, 27th.
Katie Maag - 34:52, 31st.
*Earned a medal
#Set personal record
