On Friday, October 25, 2024, the Spartans were sent off by the middle school/high school staff and student body as well as the elementary staff and students as we made our way west for the State Cross Country meet held at Hart Ranch Camping Resort, just outside of Rapid City. If you traveled to the football games at Rapid City Christian, you know right where we were. The map of the course changed from when previous Spartans ran. The start and finish lines were both down by the rodeo area. The kids did a run through of the course on Friday afternoon and as we were finishing up, the water truck made its way through certain areas, trying to keep the dust down. The course was well worn from previous meets and the lack of rain this summer/fall made it very dry and dusty. Add that to the higher elevation and unseasonably warm temperatures, there were some kids who suffered in those conditions and dropped out of the race.
Alexis Roesler and the Class B girls were the first race off the starting line at 12 p.m., MST. Alexis ran an amazing race, really pushing through the middle part of the course on the second loop. She had the grit and determination at the finish and was able to gain a spot and hold off another runner right at the end. She has been working hard on her sprinting stride. Alexis crossed the line in 33rd place of the 112 runners that finished the race. She ran 22:13.68 and although her time didn’t meet her goal, her desire to move up in the placings was achieved. Congrats Alexis!
Ranick Fjerstad, Sam Welsch, and the rest of the Class B boys didn’t step to the starting line until 1:30 p.m., MST. They had the Class A and AA girls’ races in between the Class B boys and Alexis. The Spartans were in a box on the southern part of the starting line, where Alexis was in the middle of the line. Each race started with an uphill climb and then they had to run up it again on the second loop. The dust was really flying as the wind picked up a little by midday.
Sam ran a very strong race. He used the strategy of getting faster as the race went on. After the race, he said he could taste blood in his throat, so he knew he gave it his very best effort. Like Alexis, Sam also placed in the top 30. He crossed the line in 31st, using a great kick at the finish line to get there. His time was 18:48.81. Ranick ran through pain in his foot, as he had a toe injury. He has the blood stained-sock to prove it. Ranick ran 22:13.99 and finished 113th of the 120 runners that completed the race.
I can’t praise these three and the other three girls for their hard work throughout the season. They showed up and pushed each other to make the whole team better. I appreciate Bailey Yost, Masynn Mebius, and Ella Kolousek for continuing to come to practice after the region meet, helping push Alexis and give extra runners in drills. The cross-country team might be small in numbers, but they are huge in try and desire to be better.
“You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins,” quote by Jim Stovall.
I also need to thank the many volunteers who worked in the concession stand during the volleyball matches while we were gone on Friday. Thank you. You are greatly appreciated.