Contributing writer
Brittny Czarnowsky finished 18th for the Bluebirds at the Clearwater Cross Country meet Sept. 6. The meet schedule was changed from the 108 degree weather the week earlier, which suited the runners. Czarnowsky finished the race in 18 minutes, 23 seconds for a strong showing in the first race of her senior season.
Heath Goertzen led the boys team in the 5 K race with a time of 20:17. Nathan Czarnowsky followed in 20:33, with Stephan Goertzen completing the course in 21:21, Ben Wiens 22:04, and Grant Flaming 22:21. Two newcomers to the Goessel team this year picked up valuable experience with Jake Herrel coming in at 23:06 and Dan Smucker finishing in 23:57.
Hesston
Beautiful weather followed the teams to Hesston where each grade is separated for Cross Country. Again Heath Goertzen and Nathan Czarnowsky led the Bluebirds with times of 19:30.04 and 20:26.51, respectively, and earned 10th and 18th, respectively, in the sophomore races. Stephan Goertzen finished in 20:46.81 and Ben Wiens, Jake Herrel, and Grant Flaming all finishing under 22 minutes.
Peabody will be the venue for Thursday’s Cross Country meet.