Marion boys third, girls fifth at Abilene
Marion High School cross country coach Bethany Carlson was able to see all the off-season hard work by her team pay off Thursday with solid performances from both the girls and boys participants at Wamego.
The boys' team took third and the girls fifth.
"We ran against some tough competition," Carlson said. "There were several runners on the team who ran their first cross country race. I was very excited about their efforts."
The top-30 runners at each race received medals, and the girls' team had four earn that honor. Camille Christensen led the way with a two-mile time of 18 minutes, 32 seconds and a 14th-place finish. Tacy Taylor (18:58, 18th), Amanda Richmond (19:15, 22nd), and Jaclyn DeForest (19:42, 29th) were the other Warrior medalists.
Carlson expected big things from this group, and Christensen should carry them all season. "She is a fighter, as she continues to deal with leg soreness," Carlson said.
The boys' team had four win medals as well, with sophomore Ryan Jones taking 13th place after a 3.1-mile time of 19:12. Louis Holt wasn't far behind with a time of 19:52 and a 17th-place finish. Elliot Hett was 24th with a time of 20:32, and Isaac Hett was 27th after running the race at 20:40. Brandon Meierhoff just missed a medal, finishing 31st.
Carlson was pleased with the boys running how she knew they could. Holt and Jones will be the team leaders.
"Both of them placed higher in the meet this year than last year," she said.
The Warriors race again Thursday at Hesston.
Boys
Ryan Jones, 13th — 19:12. Louis Holt, 17th — 19:52. Elliott Hett, 24th — 20:32. Isaac Hett, 27th — 20:40. Brandon Meierhoff, 31st — 20:48. Brady Hudson, 44th - 21:52. Corey Seacat, 64th - 23:57. Marshall Ragland, 65th - 24:01. Derek Stuchlik, 77th — 26:50. Adam Molleker, 78th — 27:25. Olle Gemfors, 83rd — 31:22.
Girls
Camille Christensen, 14th - 18:32. Tacy Taylor, 18th - 18:58. Amanda Richmond, 22nd — 19:15. Jaclyn Deforest, 29th - 19:42. Bridgett Lundy, 32nd - 19:58. Brooke Johnson, 35th - 20:11. Danae Edwards, 51st - 22:30. Lucy Collett, 54th - 23:07. Shayla Rahe, 64th - 28:22. Katie Maag, 66th - 36:43.
MMS
Jesse Taylor, 12th - 6:46. Scott Jones, 8th - 5:57. Justin Rahe, 19th - 6:28. Nicholas Davies, 29th — 9:09.
