The Hillsboro High School boys cross-country team finished third in the Central Kansas League Tournament behind Sterling and Hesston.

Senior Joel Allen won the meet with a time of 16 minutes, 46.64 seconds. It was his third consecutive meet posting a time under 17 minutes.

“It was another great race for Joel Allen,” coach Stuart Holmes said. “He won by 40 seconds.”

Also medaling were junior Bret Mueller and senior Justin King who finished ninth and tenth, respectively. Mueller, with a time of 18:13.35, was about four seconds faster than King at 18:17.67.

Freshman Avery Franz was the next Trojan to cross the finish line. He placed 31st with a time of 19:49.64.

“Another highlight of the meet was the improvement of freshmen Avery Franz and Clay Etheridge as both cut around 30 seconds off their times from the week before on the same course,” Holmes said.

Etheridge finished 35th with a time of 20:15.24. Sophomore Josh Richert finished 44th at 20:49.86.

“Unfortunately for us, Josh Richert has been quite ill the past two weeks and is just now starting to train again,” Holmes said. “He is getting better and we look forward to having him up there with Bret and J+ustin again.”

Sophomore Daniel Gray finished 53rd, 21:31.98.

The Trojans are ranked fifth in 3A heading into regionals Friday at Cessna Stadium in Wichita.

Junior Samantha Ens placed 25th in the girls race, 20:09.99, and freshman Erin Wiebe finished 29th, 20:38.37.