HILLSBORO: Harriers capture Berean crown
A situation unlike any other that the Trojan cross country team will face this season awaited it Oct. 3 at the Berean Academy meet held at the Harvey County East Park.
For varsity competition, five of the Trojans' varsity runners had to run in five separate races.
The unusual format, however, did not faze the Trojans as they beat out 11 other teams, including cross country stalwarts Hesston and Hutchinson-Trinity, for first place overall.
"Our runners ran very well," said Trojan cross country coach Brian Kennell. "Berean chose the winning team based on total time instead of places.
"This means even if a runner is clearly ahead, they know they have to push themselves because every second can make a difference. They kept pushing themselves even when they had a clear lead."
Only sophomore Kody Borg and Daniel Yoder notched first place finishes for the Trojans.
Daniel Yoder, running in the second varsity race, crossed the finish line in 17:13.
Borg took first in the third varsity race at 18:08.
Aaron Yoder, Karl Magnuson and Nick Unruh all finished third in the first, third and fifth varsity races, respectively.
Aaron Yoder ran a 17:12, Magnuson an 18:41, and Unruh turned in a 19:22.
In the normal format for junior varsity competition, the Bookless brothers Michael and Daniel, ran a heated race.
Michael finished a season-best fifth in 20:00, 4/100 of a second quicker than the freshman Daniel, who also finished with his best place of the season at sixth.
