Contributing writer
Ali Buller, Goessel’s only senior on the girls’ cross-country team, finished in 31st place at the state cross-country meet Saturday in Wamego.
Despite the chilly weather and difficult course, coach Tyler Schroeder was pleased with a time the was better than last week’s regional race.
For the boys, seven runners competed for Goessel at the state meet, and seniors Davis Cook and Grant Flaming ran in this premier event for the last time as Bluebirds. Cook led the team with a 35th-place individual finish out of 92 racers. Ben Wiens, a junior, set a personal best in this difficult meet with a 43rd place, with Nathan Czarnowsky and Heath Goertzen finishing 60th and 65th respectively. Flaming was 67th, Jake Herrel 69th, and freshman Zach Wiens improved his time with 76th place.
The top four runners on each team helped establish a team score with Goessel coming in ninth place out of 12 teams.
State cross-country results
Girls 4-kilometers
Ali Buller, 31st, 17 minutes, 45.80 seconds.
Boys 5-kilometers
Davis Cook, 35th, 19:13.50.
Ben Wiens, 43rd, 19:43.10.
Nathan Czarnowsky, 60th, 20:04.40.
Heath Goertzen, 65th, 20:37.20.
Grant Flaming, 67th, 20:52.40.
Jake Herrel, 69th, 21:16.60.
Zach Wiens, 76th, 21:53.50.