HHS harrier boys continue tradition
Boys win fifth consecutive title
Staff writer
Coach Stuart Holmes predicted his team would surprise some folks — that indeed has been the case this season.
The boys' varsity cross country team was declared cross country MCAA league champs Thursday at Cottonwood Point, Marion Reservoir. The girls' team placed fifth, where Hillsboro played host for the league meet.
The boys' team had a total of 44 points at the 5K cross country run in a field of 65 runners. Second place Collegiate had 69 points, third place Hoisington had 95, fourth place Hesston had 96, and fifth place Halstead had 116, to round out the top five teams.
Smoky Valley won first place in the girls' division with 33 total points followed by Halstead placing second with 61, Marion third with 76, Lyons fourth with 108, Hillsboro fifth with 111, and Hesston sixth with 131.
"The kids did a terrific job," Coach Stuart Holmes said. "Both teams ran great with everyone either improving their personal record or running very close to their best time ever."
Hillsboro boys finished with five runners in the top 15 finishers. They received medals for placing at the league meet.
Senior Kody Borg led the team placing fourth in a time of 17:29.37. Senior Karl Magnuson placed eighth with a time of 17:43.77, followed by sophomores, Sean Leihy placing ninth with a time of 17:46.15, and Nate Holmes placing 10th with a time of 17:48.07, and freshman Cody McMillen placed 13th with a time of 17:59.01.
"Kody, Karl, Sean, Nate, and Cody became the first group in school history to all run in the 17:00's at the same meet," an elated Holmes said.
"Special congratulations to our seniors, Kody and Karl, as they really came through and led the team," Holmes said.
Other Hillsboro varsity runners included sophomore Daniel Bookless placed 27th with a time of 18:38.60, and senior Robert Jost placed 43rd with a time of 19:22.11.
In the boys' junior varsity meet, Jon Janzen placed ninth with a time of 2:52 and received a medal.
Zach Magnuson placed 13th with a time of 21:09, Clint Schneider placed 22nd with a time of 22:11, Alex Jost placed 26th with a time of 22:56, Tyrel Blecha placed 28th with a time of 23:18, Gavin Serene placed 27th with a time of 23:18, Lance Kliewer placed 31st with a time of 23:42, and Zach Luthi placed 34th with a time of 25:09.
"The JV boys also should be commended for the outstanding season they have had," Holmes said.
In the girls' division, Elissa Richert led the girls' team with a 19th place finish in a time of 14:20.03 with a field of 52 runners for the 3200-meter cross country run.
Hannah Marsh placed 25th with a time of 14:54.08, Jacque Fisher placed 28th with a time of 15:04.49, Greta Kliewer placed 34th with a time of 15:16.31, Megan Peachey placed 44 with a time of 16.26.70, and Megan McCarty placed 51 with a time of 18:30.28.
"The girls competed very well," Holmes said. "To place fifth as a team in the top half of the league with four of our six girls running their first year in cross country is outstanding."
Holmes expressed his appreciation to the teams' manager Victor Rogers for the great job he does for the team. Holmes also recognized athletic director Max Heinrichs, Karol Hunt, and members of Tabor cross country team for their help in Hillsboro hosting a "first class" meet.
Cross country teams will compete in regionals at 3 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Halstead.
