Pierce Cross Country Runs Their Way Through YanktonÂ
By Elizabeth Furstenau
The cross country runners have run their way through yet another meet on Thursday, September 26, when the cross country team trekked up to Yankton to compete in an invite. The girls team was entered to race in the 4000-meter. Most of the boys team was entered to race in the 5000-meter while the others were entered to race in a separate 4000-meter.
Leading the boys' team in the 5000-meter race was Brenden Bolling. Claiming second place, Bolling ended with a time of 16:48.40. Not too far behind in fifth place was Kendall Shada with a 17:17.02 time. Following Shada in 15th place with a time of 18:05.05 was Kyle Abler. Lastly, in 17th place was Blaine Anson with a time of 19:27.13.
“I thought I did good, but definitely could’ve done better,” Bolling states. “Could have hydrated more and wasn’t used to the course.”
Carl Vogt and Maxwell Weber competed in the 4000-meter race. Vogt placed fifth with a 16:11.53 time, while Weber placed seventh with a time of 16:26.25.
Claiming first in the girls' 4000-meter race was Essynce Owens-Webb with a 19:26.59. Racing each other for the closer spot were Isabelle Kuehler and Lainey Jensen. Taking fifth was Kuehler with 20:54.57. Close behind was Jensen in sixth with 21:19.40.
“I feel awesome since it was my first meet back,” Owens-Webb says about getting first. “I could have gone faster at the end.
“We are a little behind where I was hoping we'd be at this point of the season, but at the same time, everyone has made some really big strides over the last couple of weeks,” coach Gary Shada states. “For the remainder of the season, if everyone can continue to improve like they have been, we should be well-represented at state.”
