By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

The Goessel girls’ cross-country team won a meet Thursday at Pretty Prairie Golf Course.

Elyse Boden led the Bluebirds with a seventh place medal, finishing the 5-kilometer race in 19 minutes, 38 seconds. Julia Nightengale was right behind her in eighth at 19:45. Adding to the success of the varsity team was Porclein Unruh, 21:05, Maddy Meier, 21:41, and Edel Miller, 22:51.

“I am extremely proud of how the entire team competed,” said Coach Brian Lightner.

Freshman Dawson Duerksen led the boys’ team in his first high school race. Duerksen finished in 16:22 for 20th place in the varsity race. Jerah Schmidt finished the course in 16:40, and Nathan Impson in 17:11. Rounding out the varsity team was Brody Schroeder, 17:39, and Zack Guerrero, 17:53.

“The boys finished in fourth place,” Lightner said. “I look forward to the rest of the season, as these athletes supported one another throughout the afternoon.”

Goessel will run Sept. 7 at Hesston.