BY HEAD CROSS COUNTRY COACH BECKY KRUEGER
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, the Spartans traveled up to Gettysburg to participate in the Region 4B cross-country meet. The wind was blowing, but the sun was shining, and it really was a great day for running.
The varsity girls stepped up to the starting line first, trying to cross the finish line in one of the top twenty spots to secure their way to the state meet, to be held in Sioux Falls at Yankton Trails Park on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
The Spartans sent four girls to the starting line for the varsity race. The girls were looking to secure their spot in the top twenty and trying to combine efforts to be one of the top three teams that could qualify for the state meet. Senior, Abby Kolousek is back, and she ran very strong, coming back after her illness. Alexis Roesler stayed right with Abby. These two changed spots midway through the race. Alexis finished in 11th place running 22:40.40. Abby finished her final region race in 12th place running 22:47.30. Running a phenomenal race and leaving no doubt was sophomore, Masynn Mebius. Masynn positioned herself well amongst the mid-pack of girls. She really ran a strong race, and it was great to see her use that stride and stay strong throughout the race. Masynn finished 15th with her time of 23:57, as personal and season best. Running another strong race was Ella Kolousek. Ella ran a season best and what better time to do it than at regions. Ella had a great kick at the finish but ran out of course. Ella’s time of 24:24.30 put her in 17th place. I am so proud of all four of these girls. With all of them finishing in the top twenty, they each secured their spot at the starting line of the state meet.
In the team standings, host, Potter County was 1st with seven points. Herrid-Selby Area was 2nd with 22 points. Third place went to Highmore-Harrold with 33 points. Wessington Springs finished 4th in the team standings with 35 points. Lyman County was 5th with 56 points.
Next to the starting line were the boys in varsity. The Spartans sent two runners to the line, Ranick Fjerstad and Tucker Thompson, who were looking to battle for a spot in the top twenty. They took off the line starting very strong and better yet, kept the momentum going throughout the mid-point of the race. Ranick had himself positioned in the top twenty with Tucker running in the top twentyfive. Both boys kept pace with their group and held their ground, running great races. Their hard work paid off as both boys ran personal bests. Ranick’s time was 19:31.90 and he crossed the finish line in 14th place, securing a spot at the state meet on Saturday, the 21st. Tucker’s personal best was 20:21.80, over a minute faster than his previous race. Tucker finished 24th and although he didn’t qualify for state, he ended his first season with a great race.
The third and final race of the day was junior varsity, where they ran girls and boys combined. Teagan Scheel and Lily Roesler stepped to the line for the Spartans. Teagan’s time of 22:50.20 put him in 8th place among the boys. Lily’s time of 24:33.20 put her in 3rd place for the girls in her first ever 4K race. I appreciate these kids and their no quit attitude, as this sport is not only physically tough, but mentally. They preserved and finished a season that many do not even start.
Congrats to these eight runners on a great season, hard to believe that we are at the end. Good luck to Abby, Ranick, Masynn, Alexis, and Ella as they run in the state meet on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls.
Class AA boys will start the state meet races at noon, with Ranick and the rest of Class B boy runners taking off from the start line at 12:30 p.m. Then Class A boys at 1pm. Class AA girls will be at 1:30 p.m. Our girls and the rest of Class B girls will start at 2 p.m. Then the last race will be Class A girls at 2:30 p.m.